Upgrade of Kinawataka, Lubigi drainage channels set to start

Kampala. Kampala Capital City Authority has announced that it will soon embark on the redevelopment of Kinawataka, Lubigi and Nalukolongo drainage channels.

The revelation was made on Wednesday by Mr Andrew Kitaka, the KCCA director of engineering and technical services, while giving an update on the implementation of Kampala’s infrastructural development plan.
“The study for updating of the drainage master plan for Kampala was completed in 2017. This study has provided valuable information for the planning of the required improvement of Kampala’s drainage system, the locations and extent of flood-prone areas as well as guidance on mitigation measures for reduction of surface run off among others,” Mr Kitaka said.

He noted that the upgrade of the channels had stalled because there was no study on which KCCA would base to commence the works.
“Now that the study is ready, we are ready to start construction works. However, this will be done after we have officially unveiled the study because the upgrade has to be in line with the current road projects,” Mr Kitaka said.

Kinawataka, Lubigi and Nalukolongo drainage channels have claimed many lives as a result of flooding during the rainy season.
Other drainage channels which are a threat to city residents are Kiyanja, Kawaala, Kyambogo-Banda-Jinja road, Clock Tower-Queen’s Way, Luthuli-Bandali Rise, Lugogo-Jinja Road and Old Port Bell Road.

Mr Kitata said these will be upgraded under the Second Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP 2).
Currently, KCCA is constructing roads and upgrading drainage channels in all the five divisions of Kampala to improve mobility and reduce flooding.
According to statistics from KCCA, Kampala is covered by a 2,100km road network, of which only 500kms is paved.
The current road cworks, which comprise signaling junctions and upgrading drainage channels, are funded by the World Bank under KIIDP-2.

Roads plans
For instance, 196 roads with a total length of 209.5km have been rehabilitated or upgraded to bitumen while 48 others with a total length of 54.145km are under construction.
Mr Kitaka also revealed that the study for preparation of a multi-modal transport master plan for Kampala metropolitan area has been completed.
He said the study will provide valuable information on the required infrastructure investments in drainage management up to 2050.
Since KCCA’s inception in 2011, Mr Kitaka said several existing signal junctions have been reconfigured and new ones signalised. For instance, three junctions in Nateete, Nakawa and Wandegeya were reconfigured with funding from the Uganda Road Fund.

Four junctions Jinja road-Lugogo bypass, Lugogo bypass-Upper Kololo, Lugogo bypass-Naguru road and Upper Kololo-Wampewo have recently been signalised with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Junctions on Makerere Hill Road, Fairway junction, Kira Road and Bombo Road have been signalised.

MORE CITY DEVELOPMENTS
KCCA and JICA are in advanced stages of preparing a project for signalisation of 32 more junctions in the city and construction of a traffic control centre.
This means that KCCA intends to improve a total 63 traffic junctions within three years. These two projects are anticipated to start within mid this year and end by close of 2020.

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