By Our Reporter
Uganda’s Parliament has expressed serious concern over glaring inefficiencies and irregularities in the ongoing road construction projects under the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), highlighting inflated costs, poor planning, and unsafe road designs that fail to meet the growing demands of road users in Kampala.
The concerns were presented during the plenary sitting on April 16, 2025, as Tony Awany, Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee, delivered the Committee’s report on the 2025/26 Ministerial Policy Statement for the Integrated Transport Infrastructure Services (ITIS) Programme.
Awany pointed to alarming cost disparities across KCCA’s road projects, noting that projects of similar scope in different divisions are being implemented at widely varying costs. “The Committee notes with concern that KCCA was concurrently implementing projects of similar scope at varying costs. Despite being in different divisions, the cost discrepancies are unjustifiable,” he said.
When questioned by the Committee on how unit costs per kilometre are determined, KCCA disclosed that the Ministry of Works and Transport had been allocated UGX 10 billion to carry out a study on the standard cost of constructing one kilometre of road—a study that is still ongoing. Parliament has recommended that the Ministry fast-track the research and submit its findings within six months to enhance transparency and accountability in future road projects.
Parliament also criticised the design flaws in many of KCCA’s roads, saying they are ill-suited to Kampala’s rising traffic volumes. According to the Committee, roads with narrow widths, open drainage channels, and lack of provisions for non-motorised road users pose serious safety threats, especially to pedestrians and cyclists.
In response, KCCA said it plans to cover drainage channels and construct walkways to improve pedestrian safety. Parliament, however, called for urgent action, urging KCCA to compel property owners to pave areas between buildings and roads, including spaces above drainage systems, to promote walkability and eliminate open drains.
Another source of contention was the frequent revisions to road designs, which have caused project delays as contractors await updated specifications. KCCA attributed these changes to outdated designs—some developed years before actual implementation. For instance, original plans often included undersized culverts that had to be upgraded to handle modern traffic and environmental conditions.
These last-minute design changes have driven up costs, as contractors demand compensation for idle equipment and halted work. The Committee urged the Ministry of Works and Transport to revise and modernise design standards and incorporate climate-resilient infrastructure, citing the need for better planning to reduce costly delays.
The Committee also highlighted the poor management of ongoing construction works in Kampala, which has resulted in chaotic traffic, dust pollution, and public safety hazards. “There is inadequate traffic control, poor signage around deep excavations, and a lack of timely notifications about road closures,” Awany reported, calling on KCCA to enforce stricter safety measures, dust suppression, and proper diversion planning.
Delays in road completion remain a pressing issue. KCCA cited challenges such as delays in compensating affected landowners and relocating utilities including water pipes, power lines, and internet cables. The Authority revealed that UGX 10 billion has been allocated for minor compensations under projects like the Kampala City Road Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP), which is already behind schedule due to poor resource mobilization and equipment utilization.
To mitigate delays, Parliament recommended that funds for utility relocation be secured before construction begins and that night work be introduced by providing adequate lighting to speed up progress. The Committee also called for improved contractor supervision to avoid further backlogs.
Finally, Parliament urged KCCA to crack down on building owners who convert basement parking spaces into storage areas, exacerbating street-level congestion. It recommended the development of dedicated parking spaces and designated stops for buses and taxis to reduce disorganization and improve urban mobility.
In conclusion, the Committee emphasized the importance of better planning, stricter regulation, and more transparent management of public infrastructure projects, warning that without reform, KCCA’s current trajectory threatens both the efficiency of the city’s transport system and the safety of its residents.
Story Source: Parliament Watch
