Is the proposed Entebbe Express way a raw deal to Ugandans?

Mr Byandala said more than Shs100b is needed to compensate the land owners for the 51.4Km highway, and for now can only cover compensation for 15 kilometres.

While outlining the Ministry’s priorities for this year, Works minister Abraham Byandala revealed last week that works on the Entebbe Express highway are likely to delay as the government looks for money to compensate land owners.

Mr Byandala said more than Shs100b is needed to compensate the land owners for the 51.4Km highway, and for now can only cover compensation for 15 kilometres.

In my view, Mr Byandala’s revelations are the consequences of a planning process where local people and land owners were excluded.

With due respect, is the minister aware that there are Ugandans willing to freely offer their land on this highway for road expansion and development? How sure are we that the claimed Shs71b compensation deficit is not a ploy by fraudulent planners to grab people’s land?

Secondly, instead of re- constructing and expanding the already existing viable roads of Nateete-Nakawuka-Kisubi to Entebbe or Lweza - Bunamwaya-Kitebi roads which would spur development, we embarked on a brand new road.

Moreover, traffic jam on Entebbe – Kampala road is substantially attributed to the failure to repair the two roads, which would substantially lessen traffic jam.
Although, the road is to be funded by a $476m loan from China, the repayment burden will fall on ordinary Ugandans. Any reasonable man will tell you that the Express highway only helps those few going to Entebbe Airport.

George W. Ntambaazi,
Kampala