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The minister pointed out that at Shs50Bn for 3.7Km, the cost per kilometer would be approximately Shs15Bn
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Kampala – Legislators on Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee have raised concerns over the Shs50 billion budget allocated by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for the construction of 3.7 kilometers of selected roads in Kampala, questioning the high cost and slow pace of implementation.
The issue was highlighted by Hon. Sarah Opendi (Tororo DWR) during the review of the 2025/26 Ministerial Policy Statement for KCCA. She pointed out that at Shs50Bn for 3.7Km, the cost per kilometer would be approximately Shs15Bn, a figure she deemed excessive.
Minister Sarah Opendi
Breakdown of roads in question
The roads under this budget allocation include:
Concerns over delayed road construction
Opendi also criticized KCCA for slow project execution, questioning why 3.7Km of roadwork would take over two years to complete in a congested city like Kampala.
“I can walk three kilometers in just 20 minutes. Why should KCCA give contractors a one-year timeline to complete such a short distance? This sluggishness is unacceptable.” she added.
She further highlighted other projects facing similar delays, including:
Kira Road (4.5Km, dual carriage) – Expected completion by September 30, 2026,
Ntake Road & Roadmaster Link (3Km combined) – Construction still pending
"This is disturbing. Why should a short 3Km stretch take over a year? Is KCCA anticipating funding shortages, or is there another issue?" she asked.
Shoddy drainage and high construction costs
Opendi also raised concerns over poor drainage designs, accusing KCCA of installing culverts that are inadequate for high water volumes, leading to frequent road damage.
"We visited some roads where culverts were completely washed away because they were too small to handle stormwater. These substandard works must stop," she emphasized.
Hon. Allan Atugonza (Buliisa County) also questioned why Uganda’s cost per kilometer of road construction is the highest in the East African region.
"If we approve these budgets, we expect proper drainage, lighting, and road expansion. Yet, after completion, roads remain narrow, lack drainage, and require additional funds. Why is Uganda’s road construction the most expensive in the region?" Atugonza asked.
Allan Atugonza
Government response
In response, Minister of State for Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs, Kyofatogabye Kabuye, acknowledged the concerns and assured the committee that the Ministry of Works and Transport is conducting a study on unit costs per kilometer to establish a standard for future road projects.
"The study is ongoing, and once completed, it will guide the government in determining reasonable road construction costs," he stated.
The committee has urged KCCA to justify the high costs and ensure that quality roadworks are delivered within reasonable timelines to address Kampala’s traffic and infrastructure challenges.
Torch Media Africa
