Kampala’s road network is poised for a major overhaul following the signing of a €250 million agreement between Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and UK-based infrastructure giant COLAS to rehabilitate and upgrade more than 118 roads across the city’s five divisions.
The ambitious Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project (KCRBUP), fully funded by UK Export Finance (UKEF), aims to dramatically improve urban mobility, drainage, and safety over a four-year period.
Under the plan, the Central Division will see the largest share of upgrades with 54 roads earmarked for improvement, followed by Nakawa with 27 roads, Kawempe with 15, Makindye with 14, and Rubaga with eight.
Key roads lined up for rehabilitation include Kamwokya–Mbazira Road, Clinic Road, Gowan Road, Katale Road, Katoogo Road, Klementi Lubwama Road, Mulago Church Road, Mulwanyamuli Road, and Ssebagala Road.
In Makindye Division and nearby areas, notable roads for upgrade include St. Kizito Jambula Road, Junju Road, Buziga Islamic Road, Kabali Kabwa Road, Kakembo Road, Kansanga Kiwafu Road, Kiyingi Road, Lubowa Road, Muwuliriza Road, and Tank Hill Bypass.
Other critical roads include Faraday Road, Kampala Road, Kirombe Road, Mulwana Kibira Road, and Naalya Road—linking central Kampala to suburban areas and boosting connectivity.
The project is expected to directly employ between 200 and 300 Ugandans, with at least 40% of the work subcontracted to local companies. Additionally, much of the construction material will be sourced locally, injecting fresh momentum into the domestic economy.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Mayor’s Parlor on Thursday, key government and city officials—including Minister for Kampala Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, State Minister Kabuye Kyofatogabye, KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and UK Deputy High Commissioner Tiffany Kirlew—welcomed the deal as a crucial step toward Kampala’s transformation.
The sweeping infrastructure project includes construction of modern walkways, underground drainage systems, solar-powered streetlights, and landscaping, with a strong focus on easing traffic congestion, improving road safety, and beautifying the city.
In addition, three pedestrian bridges will be constructed—at Uganda Management Institute along Jinja Road, Kawempe Hospital, and Queensway along Entebbe Road—to enhance safety and pedestrian access.
“This partnership marks a significant step toward transforming Kampala into a resilient, livable, and sustainable city,” said KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Buzeki. “Our residents deserve safe, accessible, and beautiful roads, and this project brings that vision closer to reality.”
The deal complements ongoing KCCA infrastructure efforts, including the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP), which covers 70 kilometres, and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) Urban Development Programme, which targets at least 81 kilometres.
“We must ensure Ugandans benefit directly from this investment,” urged Minister Kabanda, emphasizing the use of local labour and materials to spur national economic growth.
KCCA’s Executive Director Buzeki also thanked President Museveni, the Ministry of Finance, and city leaders for their support in securing the agreement.
“We commit to fast-tracking this project,” Buzeki added. “The people of Kampala have waited too long for these improvements.”
UK Deputy High Commissioner Tiffany Kirlew described the agreement as a strong testament to the UK’s longstanding partnership with Uganda.
“This is the sixth major infrastructure project supported by UKEF in Uganda, and the second for COLAS in the past eight years,” Kirlew noted. “Once this project reaches financial close, the total UKEF portfolio with Uganda will exceed $1 billion—demonstrating our enduring commitment to Uganda’s development.”
COLAS, which operates in more than 50 countries and posts an annual turnover of €16 billion, pledged to implement the project using low-carbon technologies, recycled materials, and advanced traffic management systems to minimize disruptions during construction.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago praised the project, saying it will go a long way toward addressing Kampala’s longstanding mobility challenges.
“We’re not doing well in terms of road infrastructure, and this project will make a significant difference,” he said.
Eng. Lars Jensen, COLAS Country Manager, pledged to adhere to the highest standards of safety, transparency, and sustainability.
“We are proud to be part of Kampala’s transformation. We will ensure global best practices throughout the project’s lifecycle,” Jensen said.
The deal further strengthens COLAS’ footprint in Uganda, adding to its work on the Kabalega International Airport project in Hoima. Construction is expected to start soon, ushering in a new era of safer, greener, and better-connected roads for Kampala residents.
