City flyover works start in January
Officiating. State Minister for Works Katumba Wamala (left) and Unra executive director Allen Kagina (centre) hand over the contract agreement to Mr Yuichi Takemura (right), the Shimizu Corporation project manager, in Nakawa, Kampala, yesterday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
What you need to know:
- The State Minister for Works, Gen Katumba Wamala, said there have been delays on the procurement of the two road projects due to complaints by whistle-blowers.
Kampala. Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) has awarded three road contracts worth Shs626b that will see the construction of a flyover at Clock Tower on Entebbe Road in Kampala City, tarmacking of Nyendo-Bukakata Road in Greater Masaka region and Rukungiri-Kihihi-Ishasha in Western region.
Ms Allen Kagina, Unra’s executive director, said the contractors of the flyover at Clock Tower have been given three months for mobilisation and construction will start in January next year.
“We are working on the city flyover with [Japan International Cooperation Agency] Jica. We are starting with the first phase of the project,” Ms Kagina said Monday.
The flyover construction is estimated to cost Shs224b.
Ms Kagina said the project is expected not to delay since 65 per cent of land acquisition has been made.
According to the project design, Clock Tower flyover will be half a kilometre long. The road from Shoprite at Queen’s Way will be widened for half a kilometre. There will also be improvements on Nsambya Road, Mukwano Road and part of Ggaba Road. The Jica will also fund the flyover at Kitgum House on Jinja Road, but tendering will be done after an update on it designs next year.
Unra gave the contract to construct Rukungiri-Kihihi-Ishasha Road also dubbed Tourism Road, which is 78.5km, to M/S China Henan International Corporation Group Company Ltd at Shs207b. The road is funded by African Development Bank. According to Ms Kagina, the construction is expected to be completed in three years. The road will connect two districts of Kanungu and Rukungiri.
Construction of Masaka-Bukakata 41km road has been given to M/S The Arab Contractors at Shs195b. The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa and OPEC Fund for International Development are funding the project.
The State Minister for Works, Gen Katumba Wamala, said there have been delays on the procurement of the two road projects due to complaints by whistle-blowers.
“All these delays are due to procurement laws. Some contractors have godfathers. Once they have not got the contracts, they raise dust,” Gen Katumba said.
