Kampala Capital City Authority’s motto reads, “For a better city”, and the authority has intensified works on a number of projects in transport, drainage, and sanitation among others so that people living in and working in Kampala can have a better environment.
The traffic congestion in Kampala mostly in peak hours makes you think about changing your business location, changing your leaving hours or just moving to a different district altogether.
It is because of this problem that Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has decided to revamp road networks in the city, put traffic lights in junctions, widen some roads, and have Police traffic officers enforce all traffic laws.
Walking along Luwum Street off Entebbe road as you make your way downtown, you will see that there is a new Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) route that is nearing completion. The route stretches all the way to Nakivubo and rises up through Namirembe road up to Bakuli traffic lights.
According to KCCA Spokesperson Peter Kaujju, the 1.9km stretch is intended to promote safety for pedestrians and cyclists in an inclusive city, create a conducive shopping experience, at the same time creating opportunities for business for KCCA believes certain businesses will record high sales with more people shopping.
Other benefits of the NMT include:
- Customers will be safer as they shop in an area free of reckless motorists and boda bodas.
- Part of the city will be de-congested. Car use and air pollution will be controlled.
- All business people and customers shall enjoy clean air and be healthier due to reduced air pollution from cars entering the city.
- The redesigned route will have wider green spaces for recreation, street benches and shades for shoppers, and walking paths to encourage walking as a way of living healthy.
- The contractor is doing final touches on the NMT, and Kaujju said that the route is scheduled for official unveiling to the public on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
When Matooke Republic asked KCCA about the cost of the NMT and the source of funding, they told us that the project was financed by the Government of Uganda at about Shs4 billion, with support for the design from United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN- Habitat), and Gouddapel Coffeng of Netherlands.
Apart from the NMT route, there are ongoing drainage and road construction projects in the city that are aimed for nothing but a better city for us all.