PM Nabbanja blasts Chinese contractors over delayed Kampala road projects
R-L Ms Sharifah Buzeki the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) the Uganda Prime Minister Ms Robinah Nabbanja (C), and Ms Minsa Kabanda the Minister of Kampala, during the inspection of the ongoing road construction projects under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP) on Tuesday April 1, 2025. PHOTO/DAVID WALUGEMBE.
What you need to know:
- Eng. Henry Busolu, speaking on behalf of China Railway 18 Group, which is responsible for the Salama-Munyonyo Road project, assured the government that the road would be completed by the end of December 2025.
Uganda’s Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, has expressed frustration over the slow progress of road construction projects in Kampala, blaming Chinese contractors for failing to meet deadlines under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP).
Accompanied by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, Minister of Kampala Minsa Kabanda, Minister of State for Works Francis Musa Echweru, and other officials, Nabbanja inspected several key road projects on April 1, 2025. The team visited Sir Apollo Kagwa Road, Kyebando Ring Road, Sir Albert Cook-Natete Road, and Salama-Munyonyo Road, where they were met with disappointing progress.
At Salama-Munyonyo Road, which was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni in 2023, Nabbanja was visibly shocked to find that not a single kilometre had been paved, despite the road being earmarked for use during the January 2024 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group of 77 (G77) + China Summits.
Speaking at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on Tuesday, March 1, 2025, Nabbanja blamed the contractors for their failure to meet deadlines and warned that contracts could be canceled if progress does not improve.
“The president inspected Salama-Munyonyo Road in 2023, but you [contractors] have failed to complete even a single kilometre. What is your problem? If the contractor is the issue, we can cancel their contract. We cannot tolerate unserious people, we are not ready to work with jokers. Kampala must shine with good roads,” she stated.
She further revealed that she had invited the Chinese Ambassador to personally witness the government’s disappointment, emphasizing that the current pace is unacceptable.
“We cannot allow this snail-speed progress. The contractor must explain why they are moving so slowly. This road was meant to be ready for the NAM summit,” she added.
KCCA Calls for Better Road Maintenance
KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki reminded contractors about the importance of maintaining safe road conditions even during construction.
“As we work, we must ensure that pedestrians and motorists can safely use the roads. Maintenance funds are clearly provided for in the contracts. Before handing over, contractors must ensure the roads are tidy and clean. After our inspections, we found many roads looking untidy and full of rubbish,” she stressed.
Eng. Henry Busolu, speaking on behalf of China Railway 18 Group, which is responsible for the Salama-Munyonyo Road project, assured the government that the road would be completed by the end of December 2025.
With the threat of contract cancellations looming, it remains to be seen whether the contractors will speed up construction efforts or face government action.
