Kampala is on the brink of a major transformation. In what is being hailed as a landmark moment for Uganda’s capital, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has signed a Shs.105 trillion agreement with UK-based infrastructure firm COLAS to upgrade 118 roads across the city.
The ambitious four-year project, known as the Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project (KCRBUP), will be fully funded by UK Export Finance (UKEF) and aims to improve urban mobility, boost economic activity, and make the city more livable for all.
The signing ceremony, held at the Mayor’s Parlor in Kampala, brought together key leaders and partners, including KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, Kampala Minister Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, State Minister Kabuye Kyofatogabye, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and the Deputy British High Commissioner Tiffany Kirlew.
“We are not just building roads,” said Hajjat Buzeki. “We are building a stronger, more connected Kampala — a resilient, livable, and sustainable city for future generations.”
The 118 roads will be spread across all five city divisions:
Central Division – 54 roads
Nakawa Division – 27 roads
Kawempe Division – 15 roads
Makindye Division – 14 roads
Rubaga Division – 8 roads
These upgrades will include better road surfaces, improved drainage, safer pedestrian access, and enhanced traffic flow.
Kampala Minister Hajjat Minsa Kabanda took a moment during the ceremony to call for inclusive development. She made a heartfelt appeal to COLAS and its contractors to ensure that Ugandans are given priority in employment opportunities under the project.
“This project must not only reshape our roads, but also uplift our people,” she said. “Let our youth gain skills, let families benefit from the jobs created, and let Ugandans be part of building the city they live in.”
COLAS Country Manager, Eng. Lars Jensen, reassured the public of the company’s commitment to global best practices, saying the project would follow international standards of safety, transparency, and environmental sustainability.
“We’re here for the long haul,” Jensen said. “Our goal is not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them — with a focus on community involvement and long-term impact.”
With construction expected to begin soon, Kampala’s residents can look forward to smoother roads, shorter commutes, and a renewed sense of pride in their city. More than just an infrastructure upgrade, this project represents a powerful collaboration — one that puts people at the center of progress.
