Kampala, Uganda: Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has inked a monumental Shs1 trillion (Euro 250 million) deal with UK firm COLAS Limited to upgrade the city’s ailing road infrastructure under a fast-tracked engineering model funded by the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF).
The landmark agreement signed Thursday, July 10, officially launches the Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project (KCRBUP), one of the most ambitious urban mobility projects in Uganda’s recent history.
KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki hailed the deal as a transformative stride that will see 127km of roads across all five city divisions upgraded.
The project includes the construction of three pedestrian bridges, installation of solar-powered streetlights, modern stormwater drainage systems, pavements, cycle lanes, and landscaping.
“This is a flagship initiative aimed at making Kampala more efficient, safer, and inclusive. It also directly fulfills our obligations under the NRM 2010–2026 manifesto,” Buzeki said.
Buzeki also revealed that the project will deploy cutting-edge technology, including COLMAT, a low-cost micro-surfacing binder, and RECYCOL, an in-situ pavement recycling technique that offers cost-effective and environmentally sustainable road solutions.
British Investment Hits New Milestone
UK Deputy High Commissioner Ms Tiffany Kirlew described the project as “strategic,” noting that it’s the sixth major infrastructure project supported by UKEF in Uganda and COLAS’ second engagement since 2018, when it started work on the joint construction of Kabalega International Airport in Hoima.
“With this project, UKEF’s portfolio in Uganda will exceed $1 billion, demonstrating our strong and long-term development partnership with Uganda,” Kirlew said.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago welcomed the development, citing a chronic infrastructure gap. “Out of our 2,104km road network, only 770km are paved, and just 20 per cent of those are in motorable condition,” Lukwago said, calling the situation “a crisis.”
He further stressed that most paved roads in Kampala are over 35 years old, long past the standard 15–20-year reconstruction cycle, making the COLAS-backed project both urgent and timely.
According to KCCA’s 2024 infrastructure report, only 600km (about 29%) of the city’s road network is currently paved. Of those, 360km are tarmacked, with many under severe stress due to underfunding and delayed repairs.
KCCA currently receives just Shs25 billion annually for road maintenance, against a Shs100 billion need, leaving most roads riddled with potholes and poorly lit, especially in residential and peripheral zones.
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