Written By |
All heavy trucks have been redirected to the Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi-Kisoga-Nyenga/Njeru road as repairs begin
Search
By Our Reporter
The Minister for Works and Transport, General Katumba Wamala, on Monday directed that all trucks avoid the main Jinja-Kampala highway to allow contractor Energo Projekt to expedite ongoing repairs on the Mabira section. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) media relations manager Allan Ssempebwa stated that, starting yesterday (Tuesday), all heavy trucks will be redirected to the Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi-Kisoga-Nyenga/Njeru road.
“The minister has directed us to divert trucks to Katosi Road to enable the contractor to work faster. We are collaborating with traffic police to ensure this directive is implemented. For now, only trucks are being diverted since they cause significant gridlock. Although we had encouraged motorists to use Katosi Road, many vehicles were still using the main Jinja Road,” Ssempebwa explained.
On Monday, the police issued a statement emphasizing the necessity of the diversion to facilitate the repairs. “All heavy trucks will be diverted at Nile Bridge towards Nyenga-Kisoga and then onto Wantoni in Mukono. For motorists traveling from Kampala to Jinja, the diversion will begin at Wantoni in Mukono, directing them through Kisoga to Nyenga and onwards to Jinja. Police and UNRA teams will be deployed to guide traffic and ensure the smooth execution of the roadworks,” Traffic and Road Safety Spokesperson Michael Kananura said. Kananura urged all motorists to comply with traffic officers’ directives and to exercise patience and discipline during the repair period.
Urgent repairs on Mabira section
On Friday, UNRA announced plans to conduct urgent maintenance on the Mabira section of the Kampala-Jinja highway in response to the deteriorating road surface. A public notice issued on November 22, 2024, detailed that the two weeks of remedial works would begin on Saturday, November 23, 2024. “It’s a 1 km section earmarked for repairs. We expect the works to be completed by December 7, 2024,” Ssempebwa said.
Traffic will be restricted to one lane during the repairs, and motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes to minimize disruptions. Truck drivers welcomed the initiative, with Anthony Mungai, who had just delivered goods in Namanve, praising the move.
“My truck broke down in Mabira twice because of the poor state of the road, which often inconveniences us. I urge them to expedite the repairs,” Mungai said.
Past delays and challenges
In November 2021, UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina inspected ongoing rehabilitation works on the Kampala-Jinja highway and urged the contractor to expedite the repairs.
Kagina’s visit followed public complaints about the slow progress of the project. During her site visit, she met the contractor and the supervision team to discuss solutions.
She emphasized the need to scale up the work and minimize inconveniences, particularly in heavily affected areas such as Bweyogerere, Seeta, Kigunga, Mbalula, and Mabira.
The contractor attributed delays to heavy traffic, which disrupted daytime operations, as well as long haul distances for materials like gravel and crushed stone. Delays in drainage works, including the construction of cross culverts and lining of side drains, were also cited as factors hindering progress.
Parliamentary concerns
In March 2023, members of Parliament on the Committee of Government Assurances questioned how Energo Projekt, a World Bank (WB)-affiliated contractor previously faulted on similar projects in Uganda, was awarded contracts by UNRA.
“You were dealing with an organization that was blacklisted. Do you know the allegations of corruption against them? Even if the ban was lifted, did Energo redeem itself to assure you they could deliver?” asked Mukono Municipality MP and committee chairperson Betty Nambooze.
Strategic importance of the highway
The Kampala-Jinja highway is a crucial transportation link connecting Kampala to Uganda’s eastern regions and serving as a gateway to Kenya.
The highway facilitates the movement of goods, people, and services, playing a pivotal role in regional trade within the East African Community. The highway’s proximity to Mabira Forest underscores the need for sustainable development. Forest degradation could adversely impact tourism, environmental health, and the livelihoods of local communities. Balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation is essential for the highway’s long-term significance to Uganda’s economy.
Torch Media Africa
