The government has until February 1 to provide 15 billion Shillings for the Kampala Capital City Authority roads rehabilitation project or forfeit a 1.099 trillion Shillings subsidy from the African Development Bank (ADB).
The Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project is part of a citywide infrastructural improvement program that seeks to meet the Government’s long-term development strategy as outlined in the country’s Vision 2040.
The project is expected to improve the quality of infrastructure stock and tackle congestion in the city through the improvement of road networks, upgrading of traffic junctions, and enhanced drainage capacity to mitigate flooding on the streets.
Specifically, the project encompasses 121 kilometres of road network upgrading, road junction improvements, and traffic management—including the establishment of a Traffic Control Centre (TCC), provision of street lighting, and stormwater drainage enhancements.
However, ADB has faulted the government for failing to honour its counter-funding obligations to the project. As a result, the bank is considering suspending the USD 288 million in grants for the project. The government, according to a letter dated December 17, 2023, was also faulted for non-compliance with environmental requirements, failed compensation of project-affected persons – PAPs along the roads to be rehabilitated, and other social safeguards, among others.
Kibanda North County Member of Parliament Linos Ngompek is concerned that the government can fail to meet its obligation at a time when the City needs an overhaul of the road network.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development in charge of General Duties confirmed receipt of the letter from the Bank to suspend the grant but quickly said the Ministry has already released 20 billion Shillings for the purpose.
However, Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker directed the Physical Infrastructure Committee to fast-track the matter and report back to the House within 48 hours on the agreed way forward to salvage the aid from the Bank.
The project was approved in November 2019 with December 2026 as planned and is expected to benefit at least 1.7 million people including commuters, businesses, and transporters passing through the city regularly, poised to experience improved transport efficiency.
According to Kabuye Kyofatogabye, the State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, KCCA has a total road network of 2100 km, out of which only 646 km, representing 30 per cent are tarmacked.
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