By Nakalika Zaituni
Catherine Nabweteme, 62, is a resident of Kirwanira Cell, Gombe Division, Nansana Municipality in Wakiso District. She lives along the Kyaliwajjala–Kira–Kasangati–Matugga Road, whose construction President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched in December 2020.
The launch of the 23-kilometre road was carried out at Kyaliwajjala Trading Centre after signing and handing over the fully government-funded project to Chinese contractor Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO) at a cost of Shs200 billion.
Six years later, the road is still under construction. Nabweteme says she has not yet been compensated for her quarter-acre piece of land to pave way for the road.
For Samuel Kazibwe, his father John Bosco Sseruyange died in 2024, a few months after the valuation exercise, having already submitted his bank account details where the compensation money was to be deposited.
“We do not know whether we will even get that money. Our father died before we could be paid and he was the sole signatory to his bank account. Even the land value has far changed from what it was in 2020,” Kazibwe notes.
Many other Project Affected Persons (PAPs), especially along the Kiti–Matugga stretch – about four kilometres of the road – still complain of not being compensated, despite the new completion date now set for July 2027.
“People from UNRA [Uganda National Roads Authority] came and valued our land for compensation around Covid time but up to now they have not paid us. They told us not to carry out any development projects on the land after valuation,” Nabweteme says.
Beyond land acquisition and delayed compensation, other causes of delay include relocation of utilities such as water and sewerage pipes and electricity lines, design adjustments, slow cash flow and poor contractor mobilisation.
Mpererwe–Kiteezi–Kiti Road
For the Mpererwe–Kiteezi–Kiti Road, which links up with the Kyaliwajjala–Kira–Kasangati–Matugga Road at Kiti Junction, construction was finally launched in May this year after years of stalling.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials together with Wakiso District officials launched the 9.1-kilometre road to ease traffic jam on the Kasangati–Gayaza Road. The Shs50 billion project, under the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project, was contracted to China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). It branches off Gayaza Road in Kawempe Division.
Ivan Kiseka, a taxi operator in Mpererwe Taxi Park, notes that the road has been in a bad state for a long time, forcing vehicles in and out of garages due to mechanical breakdowns. He wishes to see it completed as soon as possible.
Christopher Mutibwa, a boda boda cyclist at Mpererwe–Kayembe Stage, complains of disruptions and the dust they have had to endure because of the delay.
Timothy Ssemakula, 50, a resident of Namere Cell, says he suffers flu-like allergic reactions due to dust resulting from the stalled project.
They and many others urge Government and KCCA to complete the works within the shortest time possible so they can resume normal business.
Minister Blames Corruption
However, while recently carrying out a fact-finding mission on delayed road projects, the Minister for Works and Transport, Mr Fred Byamukama, blamed collusion and corruption as the key reasons behind the delays.
“Delays are not technical, they are deliberate corruption,” Byamukama said.
He said during inspections conducted between June and August 2026 on the Mityana–Mubende Road, Masaka–Kyotera–Mutukula Road, Busega–Mpigi Expressway and Kyaliwajjala–Kira–Kasangati–Matugga Road, he found that corruption inside the Ministry itself and inflated compensation claims are the major causes of delays, benefitting mostly ministry officials.
“The issue of corruption has really contributed much to the failure of these projects. Some delays are deliberately created in approving designs, processing certificates and handling contract variations, eventually increasing the cost of projects,” he said.
“Ministry officials create delays on purpose so government pays interest and extra claims. Officials own the buildings on the road reserve. They are the ones who determine how much these properties will be paid for. They set an exorbitant compensation amount,” Byamukama noted.
He gave an example of the Kisubi–Nakawuka–Nateete Road, where compensation rose to three times the cost of building the road – over Shs400 billion for land compensation alone.
Byamukama specifically cited the Kyaliwajjala–Kira–Kasangati–Matugga Road, where ministry officials allegedly constructed expensive buildings and fuel stations along the alignment, which were eventually compensated.
He said other factors include contractors making fake claims such as negotiation time, being given unimplementable designs, signing contracts before land is fully secured, and inefficient contractors.
How People Are Affected
According to Emmanuel Muhabuzi, a boda boda rider along the Wandegeya–Mulago–Kamwokya Road, construction has forced them to spend more time in traffic jams or use longer alternative routes, consuming more fuel and making fewer trips a day.
He says passengers complain of dust during dry seasons, while roads become muddy during the rainy season.
Aldrine Ariho, a shop attendant along the same road, says road closures and diversions have reduced customer numbers, cutting his sales.
“We want the roads to be constructed, but what is frustrating is the long period taken while constructing them,” Ariho notes.
Noah Habaasa, a taxi driver who plies the Wankulukuku–Kabowa–Kitebi Road, says closure for construction works on Suuna Road – a 4-kilometre road in Rubaga Division, Kampala – has forced them to use longer alternative routes while charging the same fares.
“We cannot increase transport fares yet we are taking longer routes. If we increase, people will resort to walking, others will use boda bodas while other taxis will not increase and you lose business,” Habaasa says.
Irene Nakato, a trader in Ndeeba, shares how prolonged construction on Suuna Road is affecting her business.
“Since Suuna Road construction started last year, our goods are constantly covered in dust, especially during dry seasons. The excavation works emit too much noise and dust, and in the rainy season, the place is too muddy. It is difficult for customers to buy from us or reach us,” Nakato narrates.
For Moses Ssemanda, a boda boda rider in Rubaga Division, they had to relocate their stage because of delays in constructing the road where their stage was located.
