Locals query Namugongo road works

Kira. The on-going works on the 7.8-km Kireka-Namugongo road have attracted mixed reactions from the public, with some suggesting that the new design has made the road narrower.
Government has embarked on the construction of walkways on the road from Kireka via Kyaliwajjala to Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrines, leaving almost no parking space for vehicles.
“Development is good but they [contractors] have not provided parking space for cars on the road. The road is instead being narrowed. It means that all our customers who have been making stop-overs to buy our merchandise will just pass,” Ms Harriet Nakazi, a retail shop keeper told Daily Monitor last week.
Two unidentified boda-boda riders were knocked dead on Sunday at a sharp bend when they could not give way to a vehicle for fear of falling in a trench dug to install road kerbs.
Mr Francis Kazibwe, a boda-boda rider in Kireka, confirmed the death of his fellow riders but did not know their identity. “Where do authorities expect us to park our cars when we are on our way home or taking a beer?” Mr Alex Semakula, a motorist wondered.
Trisha Construction Ltd (the contractors) manager identified only as Bhimji denied the developments will inconvenience road users.
“We are creating walkways of two meters each side of the road, seven metres road wide and parking for buses and taxis after every 500 metres. Let the public be patient, they will appreciate after the job is done by end of April or early May,” Mr Bhimji said.
Kira Town Council Mayor Mamerito Mugerwa defended the contractor, saying the firm is following Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) specifications.
“I also thought that the road was being encroached on. Instead, government is modernising the road with walkways, road signs and lights for easy movement. I am going to have meetings with the locals in Kireka and Kyaliwajala on Wednesday (tomorrow) to explain to them what is happening,” he said.

[email protected]