Busaabala, Matugga roads construction to start

INFRASTRUCTURE 

Construction of two roads critical to Kampala city's decongestion plan will start before the end of the year after the roads authority signed design and build agreements with contractors.

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) signed the contracts with representatives from Chinese Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO) and China State Construction Engineering Corporation for the building of the 16km Kira-Matugga road and the 11km Najjanankumbi-Busaabala roads, respectively.

The contracts were signed at UNRA's head offices in Kampala yesterday. The roads authority also signed another contract with CICO for the rehabilitation of 7.3km of Masaka city roads for sh35.9b.

The Kira-Matugga road will cost sh200.3b, while Najjanankumbi-Busaabala road will require sh258.8b.

The Government promised to build them, but could not commence construction for several years. UNRA executive director Allen Kagina yesterday said the institution was glad that the construction of the roads would begin in a few months' time.

"People have really abused because of these roads, but the civil works will begin soon. These are small roads but with a huge impact when it comes to decongesting Kampala and improving the people's livelihoods," she said.

There have been numerous complaints about the poor state of both roads from among the population. 

Reacting to a UNRA Facebook post announcing the signing of the contracts, Frank Kisekka, said: "Wow, finally I can smile. I have been calling for the construction of all those roads. Now waiting for one more road: Joggo-Bukerere road in Mukono municipality."

The Kira-Matugga road forms part of the outer ring (road) network to the north of the city. It starts at Kyaliwajjala junction running westwards through Kira, crossing the Kampala-Gayaza road at Kasangati in Wakiso district and terminating at Matugga on the Kampala-Bombo Highway.

The works will include building a dual carriageway between Kira and Kyaliwajjala, upgrading Matugga, Kira and Kasangati junctions to signalised ones (with traffic lights), signalising Kyaliwajjala junction, including an underpass as well as the improvement of five junctions on the Kampala-Gayaza stretch: Erisa, Mpererwe, Kyanja, Gayaza and Kasangati.

Walkways, bicycle lanes

Works on the same road will also involve provision of a two-metre segregated walkway and another two-metre bicycle lane on each side of the (road), provision of bicycle racks and bodaboda stages at each of the signalised junctions between Kyaliwajjala and Matugga. It will also be installed with a solar power lighting system.

"This will be the first urban road to have segregated pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes which will enhance the safety of the pedestrians and cyclists. These cannot be provided on other roads because of space," Kagina said.