The Legislators on Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee have queried the Shs50Bn that Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has earmarked for the construction of 3.7Km selected roads around the City, which once computed would, indicate that each Kilometre would cost Shs15Bn.
The concern was raised by Hon Sarah Opendi (Tororo DWR), during the consideration of the 2025/26 Ministerial Policy Statement for the Authority, in which she questioned the costs attached to the construction of roads like; Ben Kiwanuka Street, Rashid Khamis Road, Matia Mulumba Road.
Opendi further cited Kira Road, 4.5 kilometres, dual carriage, whose completion date is 30th September 2026, while the 3Km Ntake Road, Roadmaster Link, one of which is 1.5 kilometres, another is two kilometres describing the duration as disturbing.
“This is disturbing. Why that long stretch of over one year? Actually, one and a half years for working on these short kilometres of three, are you anticipating that you will not have money? Where is the problem? Can I understand why?” added Hon Opendi.
Opendi also criticised KCCA for the sluggish construction of roads around the city wondering why the Authority needs 2years to construct 3.7Km roads in such a congested City.
“There is construction of selected roads in Kampala City like; Ben Kiwanuka, Rashid Kamis, Old Kampala, the commencement date for this work is 8th April 2025. Now, when you look at the expected completion date, over one year for a 3Km road, and works are yet to start. I am disturbed because this is the sluggishness within which work is done. This is a small road, three kilometres. I can walk three kilometres in just 20 minutes. Why do you have to give somebody a variation of one year within which to complete? I need to understand why,” asked Hon Opendi.
The Minister of State for Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs, Kyofatogabye Kabuye informed the Committee that the Ministry of Works and Transport is currently conducting a study into the unit cost per kilometre that will guide Government on the cost of road construction.
“The issue of unit cost, the study is ongoing and indeed the Ministry of Works and Transport is in touch with my people and as soon as this one is done, we shall have a standard kind of unit,” explained Kyofatogabye.
