Kampala residents and citizens of Uganda as a whole can anticipate significant improvements in the city’s road infrastructure following Parliament’s approval of an additional budget allocation of Shs157 billion for road development.
During the parliamentary session on April 12, 2024, Members of Parliament granted Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) authorization to undertake the reconstruction and maintenance of city roads in the upcoming 2024/2025 fiscal year. This decision came after lawmakers endorsed a recommendation from a House committee to provide supplementary funding.
Presenting the report, Committee Chairperson Hon. Jesca Ababiku highlighted that KCCA requires Shs200 billion for comprehensive road infrastructure development and maintenance. However, only Shs43 billion is currently allocated within the Medium Term Expenditure Fund ceiling.
The committee’s observations underscored the pressing need to address the poor condition of roads, characterized by potholes and blocked drainage systems. These issues have led to discomfort for motorists, increased travel times, vehicle breakdowns, and accidents.
Despite KCCA’s projected receipt of external financing amounting to Shs549 billion, the committee noted that this intervention would only cover the reconstruction and upgrading of 116 kilometers of Kampala’s road network, leaving over 1,500 kilometers in need of attention.
To address these challenges, the committee recommended an additional annual provision of Shs157 billion to enable KCCA to meet the demands for road maintenance and tackle the issue of pervasive potholes.
In support of this initiative, Hon. Muhammad Nsereko emphasized Kampala’s significance as the nation’s showcase, highlighting the urgent need to enhance road infrastructure and address issues such as garbage accumulation. He proposed leveraging potential increases in fuel levies to improve the city’s aesthetics, attract tourists, and foster taxpayer satisfaction.
Parliament also approved a recommendation for an additional allocation of Shs134 billion to facilitate the commercialization of Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC). This funding aims to bridge the gap necessary for the operationalization of the Jinja-based vehicle plant, enabling KMC to advance its efforts in job creation and wealth generation through the development of the domestic automotive value chain.
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