UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | According to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the Kampala Flyover Project is on hold due to a disagreement over Centenary Park.
The Lot 2 project, worth USh659 billion, has stalled because the Centenary Park occupant, Nalongo Estates, wants compensation for developments on the land before demolition takes place to create space for the flyover.
UNRA’s Head of Bridges and Structures, Mr Lawrence Pario, said that the lease for Nalongo Estates had expired, and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) had taken over the land, but the estate is demanding compensation.
The legal team and land experts are working to settle the matter, and the dispute is expected to be resolved soon.
“We have so far secured the land from the Electoral Commission (EC) but we still have unresolved issues on the Centenary park land. KCCA allowed us (Unra) to use the land, but the Nalongo Estates which earlier occupied the land want to be compensated for their infrastructure,” Mr Pario said on 11th Tuesday, March 2023.
He added: “Our legal team together with other land experts are resolving the matter. I think very soon we shall be able to take over that Centenary Park land after settling all the disputes.”
Compensation Issue and Other Facilities Relocation
Apart from the compensation issue, UNRA has to work with relevant agencies to relocate the booster water pump, electricity transformer, high voltage power lines, and other facilities in the park before embarking on project works on the land.
The Kampala Flyover project will be constructed in two phases, referred to as Lots 1 and 2. Lot 1 of the project, involving works at Queen’s way, Nsambya Junction, and part of Mukwano Road, is 80% complete and is expected to be finished in August 2023.
Mr Pario said: “By June (2023) we will have done all the roadworks and by the end of August we will have installed the traffic lighting, marking of the road and all other road signs.”
UNRA attributed the delays to Covid-19, delays in the procurement process, and delays in the delivery of the materials.
EC Hands Over Premises
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Justice Simon Byabakama, handed over the former head offices of the electoral body on Jinja Road to UNRA.
Justice Byabakama said that UNRA had paid EC USh23 billion as compensation. The move will pave the way for the demolition of the structures in preparation for the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of Lot 2 of the Kampala Flyover project, which is expected to start in February next year 2024.
The flyover project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is expected to mitigate traffic congestion problems in Kampala City.
Project Details
The flyover project will involve the construction of a flyover, an underpass at Nsambya, and upgrading and improving roads and junctions.
JICA said on completion, motorists would spend less than 30 minutes on the various routes connected to the flyover.
On its website, JICA stated that the flyover would improve the traffic flow concentrated in the existing expressway (Entebbe-Kampala) by constructing flyovers in major junctions that are particularly connected in Kampala City (at Clock Tower and Kitgum House) and widening major roads connecting the junctions, including Hotel Africana, Mukwano Road.
The Kampala Flyover project’s successful completion will be a significant boost to Uganda’s transportation infrastructure, making it more efficient and convenient for motorists.
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