The GKMA road upgrade project has officially launched to improve 19.8 kilometres of key roads across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. This project covers all five divisions of Kampala and aims to enhance transport and urban mobility by 2026.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) will manage the road construction and rehabilitation. They allocated a total budget of Shs149 billion. The divisions involved include Kampala Central (3.7 km), Kawempe Central (4.56 km), Lubaga (3.07 km), Kawempe (3.51 km), and Makindye (5.01 km). Moreover, this upgrade forms part of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development ProgramME (GKMA-UDP).
During a community event in Kawempe Division, KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki urged contractors to complete work on time. “These roads will cost us Shs149 billion. We expect to finish the works by 2026. Therefore, contractors must stick to the schedule,” she said.
The project will construct and rehabilitate 15 roads. These include Ben Kiwanuka Street (1.4 km), Rashid Khamis Road (0.8 km), Old Kampala–Matia Mulumba Road (0.3 km), Jinnery Road (0.2 km), Kira Road, Ntake Road, Road Master Link Road, Kigobe Road, Mukalazi Road, Muganzirwaza Road, Nsambya Estate Road, Katalemwa Road, Bemba Road, Kyebando Road, and Cape Villa–Wavamuno Road.
Furthermore, Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda asked contractors to cooperate with local communities and adopt a phased approach. This will help them meet the 18-month deadline. “Contractors must deliver these roads within 18 months. If assigned a few kilometres, focus on completing them quickly instead of juggling multiple projects,” he said.
Representing Kampala Lord Mayor Olive Namazzi, local leaders were called upon to monitor progress actively. They should ensure that public funds borrowed through a World Bank loan serve their intended purpose. The Lord Mayor urged, “This project is funded by a loan. Therefore, leaders must request Bills of Quantities (BOQs) to verify quality work from contractors.”
She also highlighted that roads often deteriorate soon after completion. “Often, roads break down within months, yet taxpayers bear the cost,” she added.
Moreover, the Lord Mayor raised concerns about the government’s limited funding for crucial drainage infrastructure. This shortfall contributes to Kampala’s flooding problems. She appealed, “We ask the World Bank to fund drainage systems in the next financial year.”
Kawempe Division Mayor Emmanuel Sserunjogi expressed satisfaction that four of his six priority roads are included in the project. He promised to push for funds for the remaining two roads in the future. “I want to be the one asking the people of Kawempe which roads need attention, not the other way around,” he said.
Additionally, he urged residents to protect the new infrastructure. “Let us preserve these roads. They belong to us, and if we look after them, they will serve us well for many years,” he said.
In conclusion, the GKMA road upgrade will significantly improve Kampala’s urban infrastructure. It will ease traffic flow and support economic growth in Uganda’s capital region.
