Kampala Flyover construction ongoing despite facing several challenges

The construction of the Kampala Flyover project is ongoing despite significant challenges faced.

“Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, we experienced delays in importation of project-critical equipment as the world shutdown. Additionally, a big number of our staff and the contractor’s staff contracted the virus so we had to initially scale down the operations for the safety of personal,” Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Executive Director, Allen Kagina said.

“I am happy to observe that following the vaccination of most of the project staff, work has resumed and the progress is impressive,” she added.

Kagina was speaking during a tour of Lot 1 of the Kampala Flyover project yesterday. Lot 1 of the project comprises;

· A new modern clock tower flyover (first of its kind in Uganda)

· A four-lane Nsambya underpass

· 3 pedestrian bridges

· A new Clock Tower square

· Junction improvements (5 locations)

· General road widening/improvements

At 26% completion status, the construction of Lot 1 of the Kampala Flyover Project is set to be concluded in December 2022.

Kampala City traffic has significantly grown over the past years and this has placed an enormous strain on the existing road capacity. The Kampala Flyover Project is an initiative to alleviate the heavy vehicular and pedestrian gridlock within the city.

Commenting during the tour, the Makindye Resident City Commissioner, Mukooza Ronald, applauded UNRA for ensuring that work goes on 24hours a day. ‘As the head of security in Makindye division, we are always on patrol, and I have noticed that all day, work is going on. Thank you UNRA for the professionalism you are enforcing on this project,’ he said.

Other delays faced by the Kampala FlyOver project relate to land acquisition owing to the multiplicity of land owners that had to be engaged. Following stakeholder engagement led by UNRA’s Directorates of Legal and Roads & Bridges Development, it should be noted that the following progress has been made:

· Flyover and Queens Way, Mukwano and Nsambya Road – 100% Land acquired

· 100% of the Right of Way (ROW) for Lot 1 based on the original scope and alignment has been handed over to the Contractor.

In what is now a standard in all UNRA projects, promotion of local capacity is being adhered to in the Kampala Flyover project. With 546 Ugandans (97.5%) and 14 expatriates (2.5%), UNRA is being intentional in supporting the Government effort to promote local construction capacity. These local contractors are currently undergoing skills development and can participate in the national road development program.

‘We have ensured that where there is an expatriate manager on the project, a Ugandan deputises him/her. This will ensure that there is a transfer of skills and this will go a long way in building our local technical capacity for such complex projects,’ remarked Eng Sam Muhoozi, Director, Roads & Bridges Development.

 The Kampala flyover project in the Central Division seeks to reduce traffic jam and improve mobility.