KCCA hands over refurnished road junction to Mengo

Apr 10, 2015

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi has handed over the long awaited newly designed road junction in Mengo suburbs to Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga.

By Jeff Andrew Lule and Juliet Waiswa

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi has handed over the long awaited newly designed road junction in Mengo suburbs to Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga.

The round-about with a monument named Nantawetwa located at the Kabaka Njagala (royal mile) road in Rubaga division, Mengo was constructed at sh240 million.

The monument to commemorate Kabaka Ronald Mutebi 60th birthday which was designed in a split long drum monument (engalabi) stands about 11 meters tall with a shield with two spears.

The money for the construction was raised by individuals including; Jennifer Musisi, Hamis Kuggundu, Andrew Kasirye, Umar Nassoro, Gordon Wavamunno, MP Fred Mukasa Mbidde, and Lt Col Robert Sekidde and his wife Margret proprietors of Seroma Schools.

This section of the road is only used by the Kabaka (King)) while traveling from his Palace in Lubiri to Bulange the Kingdom's administrative centre.

While handing over the junction on Thursday, Musisi said the junction is a birthday gift to the Kabaka from the KCCA and all the financiers.

"This is a small donation by a small group of Buganda subjects and KCCA staff to their King for his 60th birth day celebration," she added.

Jennifer Musisi handing over the new designed Nantawetwa junction a long Kabaka Njagala Road (royal mile) to Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga.

The design

Musisi said the spears and the shield represent Buganda's mighty protection against adversaries.

The monument sits on architectural base designed in form of tree trunks made of steel and hollow pipes.

It was designed by SASA Architects, constructed by KCCA engineers and Global Youth Artisans.

Musisi said this was all meant to retain relevance to the culture of the Kingdom, saying the long drum signifies the entertaining and happy Buganda.

"The entire design also includes the clans' totems on the carriage way which will be included after raising more funds after the birthday," she said.

Musisi said they still need sh40m to accomplish the whole project.

She also revealed that they used about sh39bn to redesign the Kabaka Njagala road, replanting tress and installation solar power street lights.

She noted that the whole plan to redesign royal mile and Nantawetwa started in 2012, by the former Katikiro, John Baptist Walusimbi.

Mayiga commended the good work done by Musisi and his team towards supporting Buganda projects and changing the face of Kampala City.

He cited the reconstruction of the royal mile and road to Banda Palace which has he says has reduced dust.
"Musisi we are ready to support all your works in reorganizing the city. We need a well-planned housing system and transport. That's how Kampala should be," he said.