UNRA should take over KCC roads

May 27, 2009

EDITOR—Kampala city is the face of the country, so to speak. We cannot have a city clouded with dust and poor adjacent roads in the estates and boast to be a beautiful country trying to attract tourists and investors. The Kampala road system is a disgra

EDITOR—Kampala city is the face of the country, so to speak. We cannot have a city clouded with dust and poor adjacent roads in the estates and boast to be a beautiful country trying to attract tourists and investors. The Kampala road system is a disgrace to the ‘Pearl of Africa’ image portrayed by Winston Churchill.

People who have lived or travelled in other cities in East Africa will concur with me that the number of potholes and dusty routes in the estates and other access roads is a true sign of a collapsing decentralisation aspect of reform for local government.

These impassable roads are affecting the residents’ pockets in terms of wear and tear to their vehicles and skyrocketing fares to walkable distances. Although Kampala City Council (KCC) is trying to patch up the potholes within the city, the condition of the roads in the outskirts is appalling. For example, take a short drive to Najera through Ntinda and Kiwatule and you will have a glimpse of what I am talking about.

KCC and other town authorities surrounding it have failed to plan, design and implement a sustainable road model. For example, when have they gazetted roads that they intend to construct in Kampala?

I am sure the local councils are constrained by financial inadequacies which can easily be addressed by the Government. the Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) should take over the construction of city roads otherwise if we continue with the kind of roads we have in Kampala at present, investors might flee in search of better value for their money to Tanzania, Rwanda or Kenya.

Kampala is becoming a nuisance and the thought of driving or travelling around the city is not very appealing. I hope the responsible stakeholders will take appropriate steps to address this disgusting situation.
George Aluzimbi
Kampala

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