Government releases CHOGM traffic plan
Nov 19, 2007
THE Government yesterday released the traffic plan for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, indicating which roads will be closed during the historic event, which takes place later this week.
By Steven Candia
THE Government yesterday released the traffic plan for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, indicating which roads will be closed during the historic event, which takes place later this week.
The plan also provides alternative routes, which motorists can use to reduce inconveniences during the three-day summit.
The plan, made public by works minister John Nasasira, takes effect on Wednesday, the day the Queen is expected to jet into the country. Between Thursday and Sunday, certain roads will be closed whenever convoys pass.
To reduce traffic in the city centre, the minister announced that the Northern bypass will be open from tomorrow. It will cater for all heavy traffic heading to and from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Sudan. For the same reason, he said, Thursday and Friday have been declared public holidays.
“Those who have no business being in town are advised to stay at home,†Nasasira said.
Restricted areas, the minister said, will only be accessible to people with CHOGM accreditation. He clarified, however, that no special cards were required to access the city.
On Wednesday, the Entebbe-Kampala road corridor, which includes Entebbe Airport, Kibuye, Queens Way and Clock Tower, will be closed from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The other roads in the city that will be closed during that time include the stretch from Clock Tower to Entebbe road, part of Kampala Road (from Barclays Bank to Constitutional Square up to the junction of the Central Police Station), Speke Road, Nile Avenue up to Garden City.
“All those intending to fly out of the country are expected to be at the airport before 6:00pm,†Nasasira said, adding that meetings were going on with the airport authorities to sort out the flights issue, which also includes domestic flights.
In addition, he announced, other roads in Nakasero area around the Serena and Sheraton hotels, the ministry of foreign affairs and along Clock Tower and Entebbe road will be closed.
Motorists from the eastern side of the city can access Kampala through the Kitgum roundabout, drive up to the Railways Headquarters junction and branch off to Nasser Road. This is only for people with their own vehicles.
However, taxis can drive up to the Kitgum roundabout, then onto Yusuf Lule Road to Wandegeya and access the taxi parks through Bombo Road.
“We want to ensure that there is as little inconvenience to the public as possible and that the city does not grind to a halt. We don’t want a dead city. Traffic police will be at hand and we have to ensure that wherever the road has been closed, there is at least an alternative route,†Nasasira said.
He was accompanied by police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, the CHOGM 2007 spokesperson, Kagole Kivumbi, and the Acting Commissioner for Traffic, Steven Kasiima.
Boda boda cyclists are banned from the central business area. The restricted areas for the boda bodas are Ben Kiwanuka Road, Mukwano Road, Yusuf Lule Road, Bombo Road, Entebbe - Kampala Road, and the Nsambya - Munyonyo corridor. Any boda boda cyclists found in the restricted area will be arrested and prosecuted, Nasasira warned.
The road corridor from Nsambya to Munyonyo will be closed from Thursday to Sunday whenever convoys with the dignitaries pass.
There will be daily updates on the radio stations, the minister added.
For an illustration of the Chogm Traffic Plan, detailing closed routes and alternative routes. CLICK HERE.
THE Government yesterday released the traffic plan for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, indicating which roads will be closed during the historic event, which takes place later this week.
The plan also provides alternative routes, which motorists can use to reduce inconveniences during the three-day summit.
The plan, made public by works minister John Nasasira, takes effect on Wednesday, the day the Queen is expected to jet into the country. Between Thursday and Sunday, certain roads will be closed whenever convoys pass.
To reduce traffic in the city centre, the minister announced that the Northern bypass will be open from tomorrow. It will cater for all heavy traffic heading to and from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Sudan. For the same reason, he said, Thursday and Friday have been declared public holidays.
“Those who have no business being in town are advised to stay at home,†Nasasira said.
Restricted areas, the minister said, will only be accessible to people with CHOGM accreditation. He clarified, however, that no special cards were required to access the city.
On Wednesday, the Entebbe-Kampala road corridor, which includes Entebbe Airport, Kibuye, Queens Way and Clock Tower, will be closed from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The other roads in the city that will be closed during that time include the stretch from Clock Tower to Entebbe road, part of Kampala Road (from Barclays Bank to Constitutional Square up to the junction of the Central Police Station), Speke Road, Nile Avenue up to Garden City.
“All those intending to fly out of the country are expected to be at the airport before 6:00pm,†Nasasira said, adding that meetings were going on with the airport authorities to sort out the flights issue, which also includes domestic flights.
In addition, he announced, other roads in Nakasero area around the Serena and Sheraton hotels, the ministry of foreign affairs and along Clock Tower and Entebbe road will be closed.
Motorists from the eastern side of the city can access Kampala through the Kitgum roundabout, drive up to the Railways Headquarters junction and branch off to Nasser Road. This is only for people with their own vehicles.
However, taxis can drive up to the Kitgum roundabout, then onto Yusuf Lule Road to Wandegeya and access the taxi parks through Bombo Road.
“We want to ensure that there is as little inconvenience to the public as possible and that the city does not grind to a halt. We don’t want a dead city. Traffic police will be at hand and we have to ensure that wherever the road has been closed, there is at least an alternative route,†Nasasira said.
He was accompanied by police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, the CHOGM 2007 spokesperson, Kagole Kivumbi, and the Acting Commissioner for Traffic, Steven Kasiima.
Boda boda cyclists are banned from the central business area. The restricted areas for the boda bodas are Ben Kiwanuka Road, Mukwano Road, Yusuf Lule Road, Bombo Road, Entebbe - Kampala Road, and the Nsambya - Munyonyo corridor. Any boda boda cyclists found in the restricted area will be arrested and prosecuted, Nasasira warned.
The road corridor from Nsambya to Munyonyo will be closed from Thursday to Sunday whenever convoys with the dignitaries pass.
There will be daily updates on the radio stations, the minister added.
For an illustration of the Chogm Traffic Plan, detailing closed routes and alternative routes. CLICK HERE.