The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has pledged to complete the construction of the first phase of the Kampala Flyover project by December 2022 amid challenges.
According to UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina, despite experiencing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, working is going on as planned.
“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,” 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 the first phase of the Kampala Flyover project on Tuesday.
The first phase the project comprises building a modern clock tower flyover, a four-lane Nsambya underpass, 3 pedestrian bridges, a new Clock Tower square, junction improvements (5 locations) and general road widening/improvements
Kagina observed that the works of phase one are at 26% completion.
Alongside the ongoing relocation of utilities, she observed that excavation works on the 4-lane underpass is nearing completion. Similarly, screw piles for the construction foundation of the flyover and pedestrian bridges have been delivered on site.
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.
The Kampala flyover project in the Central Division seeks to undercut traffic jam and improve mobility.
The first phase of the construction project was flagged off in December 2018.
The project is bankrolled by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency at Shs224 billion. Phase two is expected to cost Shs659b.