The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has launched the rehabilitation of Kinawataka Road in Nakawa Division for Shs19.2 billion. This is part of Uganda’s preparations to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The 2.32-kilometre road rehabilitation project, funded by the Government of Uganda, commenced on July 10, 2026, and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.
Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, said the project is intended not only to improve access ahead of the continental football tournament but also to address long-standing challenges of poor drainage, pedestrian safety and road connectivity in the area.
She explained that the road will have a 3.5-metre-wide carriageway and pedestrian walkways measuring between 1.5 and 2 metres on both sides.
The rehabilitation will include reconstruction of the existing road base, construction of a 225-millimetre mechanically modified sub-base, a 175-millimetre CRR road base and a 50-millimetre SE14 asphalt concrete wearing course.
The project will also include the installation of approximately 2.86 kilometres of 900-millimetre-diameter concrete pipe culverts and 1.31 kilometres of 600-millimetre-diameter culverts.
Buzeki said the drainage component is expected to improve stormwater management and help reduce flooding along the road corridor, while also protecting the road from deterioration caused by uncontrolled runoff.
“The substantial drainage component will improve the collection and conveyance of stormwater along the road corridor, while the walkways will provide safer and more convenient facilities for pedestrians,” Buzeki said.
The road is being constructed by RAM Projects Limited, while KCCA engineers will provide contract management and technical supervision.
The Executive Director urged residents to monitor the works and report any concerns to KCCA, noting that the project is being financed with public funds.
“I want to remind the residents that the money we are using on this project is your money, Government of Uganda money,” Buzeki reaffirmed.
The rehabilitation is part of a wider government programme to improve infrastructure in Kampala ahead of AFCON 2027, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania. The project also complements road improvement programmes under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Development Programme, supported by the African Development Bank and the World Bank.
Buzeki said improved roads will enhance connectivity between different parts of the city and surrounding areas, while providing better access for football fans and visitors expected during the tournament.
The Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, challenged contractors working on the project to deliver quality work on time and within budget, while ensuring that local communities benefit from the project.
Kabanda, however, commended RAM Engineering, the contractor undertaking the works, but urged them to prove their reputation through quality service and responsible engagement with the community. She warned that excluding residents from employment opportunities could create tensions between communities and contractors.
Kabanda cited an incident in Kasangati where frustrated residents allegedly put salt in construction equipment after they were not given jobs. She also condemned the theft of construction materials and equipment by elements within the community.
Kabanda said the reconstruction of Kinawataka Road comes at an important time as Kampala prepares to host activities associated with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
However, she stressed that the investment in roads should provide lasting benefits to residents beyond the tournament. “As we are preparing for AFCON, we are also going to benefit from these roads,” she said. The minister further called for zero tolerance for corruption throughout the project cycle, from procurement and construction to supervision and completion.
Kabanda also criticized delays in road projects, particularly situations where contractors request extensions because designs were allegedly not ready before construction began. She called for proper planning and completion of designs before construction starts. By the end of the 2025/26 financial year, the city’s paved road network had reached 817 kilometres, of which 371 kilometres were classified as being in good condition.
This represents an improvement from the 273 kilometres of paved roads reported to be in good condition in the 2022/23 financial year. KCCA aims to have more than 50 per cent of the city’s road network in good condition by the 2029/30 financial year, with at least 700 kilometres meeting the required standards. The function was also attended by the Kampala lord mayor, Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
