President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has issued a directive for the Special Forces Command (SFC) to collaborate with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in repairing the notorious potholes plaguing the roads of Kampala. In a letter dated May 22, President Museveni instructed the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, to ensure the immediate implementation of his directive.
President Museveni emphasized that the involvement of the SFC Construction Regiment would significantly reduce costs compared to hiring profit-seeking contractors. The SFC, a specialized unit of the Ugandan military, has expressed readiness for the task, stating that they possess the necessary equipment and manpower to repair the existing roads in poor condition.
The Prime Minister, along with representatives from KCCA, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the Uganda Road Fund, the Kampala Minister, Works Minister, and the Attorney General’s office, convened a meeting to discuss the implementation of the President’s directive.
Maj Jimmy Omara, the spokesperson for the SFC, confirmed their preparedness to work on rehabilitating the city’s roads and stated that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be formulated to outline the collaboration between the SFC and KCCA. The commencement of the repairs is dependent on the availability of funds, and the SFC’s engineering regiment estimates that within 2 to 3 months of receiving the necessary funds, the work on all identified roads can be completed.
Simon Kasyate, the spokesperson for KCCA, expressed gratitude for the SFC’s support in addressing the pothole problem and emphasized the need for interagency cooperation to improve service delivery. He acknowledged the budgetary constraints faced by KCCA and highlighted the substantial maintenance requirements of Kampala’s unpaved roads, which cover over 1500km.
The issue of potholes in Kampala gained significant attention in April when Ugandans initiated a social media campaign known as the “Kampala pothole exhibition.” Citizens shared photos and videos of roads riddled with potholes on various platforms, aiming to draw attention to the city’s deteriorating infrastructure. The public criticism prompted KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka to address the lack of funds for pothole repairs, stating that the annual allocation of funds falls short of the required amount.
Responding to the public outcry, President Museveni directed the Ministry of Finance to release an immediate sum of UGX 6 billion (Ugandan shillings) to address Kampala’s road repairs. However, it is worth noting that only 30% of Kampala’s extensive road network, spanning 2,100km, is currently paved.
The joint effort between the SFC and KCCA represents a coordinated approach to tackle the longstanding issue of potholes in Kampala. As the government seeks to secure the necessary funding, the hope is that these repairs will alleviate the challenges faced by motorists and improve the overall condition of the city’s road infrastructure.
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