The government of Uganda through Colas UK, an Infrastructure contractor is set to receive 947 billion shillings (250million Euros) to fund the reconstruction of over 270 km of road network in Kampala.
The monies have been committed by the British government through its Export Credits Guarantee Department.
The funding shall be channeled through Colas which will then work with Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA to implement the project.
On Thursday, Colas and KCCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to rehabilitate roads, bridges and flyovers in Kampala to improve access in the City, and reduce congestion and pollution resulting from bad roads.
Dorothy Kisaka the KCCA Executive Director noted that this project shall see critical roads selected from the five divisions of Kampala worked upon. Some the areas targeted are Kololo Nakasero and Bugolobi. COLAS UK shall work with local contractors to implement the project.
With a total road network of 2100 km in Kampala and only 30 percent (646 km) tarmacked, Kisaka says that such projects and more shall help improve City roads and the lighting and drainage system on those roads.
The project is planned to last between three to four years starting 2023. Jacob Byamukama, the KCCA Acting Director Engineering and Technical Services says that the project shall commence with a feasibility study to inform which roads are worked upon and designs for the infrastructure also developed.
The study is planned to last 18 months. Eng. Byamukama says that Kampala's Roads, many spanning over 50 years of age are too old and need revamping. Their old age coupled with increased traffic is what explains the many Potholes made worse during rainy seasons, he says.
Speaking about the partnership, the area manager for Colas UK in Uganda, Lars Peter Jensen expressed their commitment to work with KCCA to improve the infrastructure in the city. He says infrastructure development has a multiplier effect achieved through trade, improved health and security for City dwellers.
Kisaka also revealed that as they plan for this project, in three to four months, a KCCA project funded by the African Development Bank to reconstruct 69km of roads in Kampala shall also kick off.