KAMPALA- The national roads body, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) says it is now a standard that in all UNRA projects, promotion of local capacity is being adhered to in the Kampala Flyover project.
UNRA says with 546 Ugandans (97.5%) and 14 expatriates (2.5%), UNRA is being intentional in supporting the Government effort to promote local construction capacity.
According to UNRA, 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,” says Eng. Sam Muhoozi, Director, Roads & Bridges Development.
The Kampala flyover project in the Central Division seeks to reduce traffic jam and improve mobility.
In a statement Monday, UNRA says the Kampala Flyover construction is ongoing despite challenges faced.
During a tour of Lot 1 of the Kampala Flyover project Monday afternoon, UNRA Executive Director, Allen Kagina, said 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) and general road widening/improvements.
At 26% completion status, Kagina says 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,” Kagina said adding, “Owing to the Covid19 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 personnel. I am happy to observe that following the vaccination of most of the project staff, work has resumed and the progress is impressive.”
Commenting on the project 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.
UNRA attributes other delays faced by the Kampala Flyover project 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.