MUKONO. Mukono District has launched the tarmacking of a 7.8 road kilometer section from Mpatta to Buule landing site in Mpatta Sub County, Mukono District to a tune of Shs35.7 billion .
This project is part of the 18.5 kilometer Ntenjeru-Buule Road earmarked for tarmacking under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme 5funded by the World Bank and the contract was awarded to a Chinese company, China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Company Limited to be completed in a space of 18 months.
The Mukono district Engineer Herbert Lutwama notes that upon completion this route will avert the traffic stress on the Kampala-Jinja highway and implored the government of Uganda to consider building a bridge connecting Mukono to Ggaba landing site through the waters of Lake Victoria.
“The uniqueness of this route is that it connects Mukono district through Buule landing site to Ggaba in a distance of approximately 1.2 kilometers and we’re suggesting that since there’s another project under the former UNRA of the Munyonyo Spur bypass and since we’re doing the 18.5 kilometers, it would be prudent if they switch that money into construction of a bridge instead of putting a ferry on this route” Lutwama explains.
Further he stretched that the bridge will serve the greater good of diverting the continuous traffic flow unlike the ferry which work for only agreed hours.
“Apart from working for limited hours, the cost of maintenance on a ferry is high, roughly 3 billion per year, yet the bridging would solve the issue of connectivity at once” he stretches.
The Under Secretary, Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Monica Edemachu Ejua has warned the contractor to ensure quality and timely project delivery for the greater good of benefiting the local community.
“There were delays in the preparation but today much as we’re handing over 7.8 kilometers, the same contractor has been the successful bidder for the remaining section and therefore we expect Mukono district local government to fast track implementation to ensure that we complete the section at the same time” Monica explains
The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda called a cordial working relationship with the community and warned against corruption into government projects which may cripples the entire program.
“Our Contractor ensure that you work with the local people, this is a government project intended to benefit the community and at all cost shy away from corruption which cripples projects and results into substandard work” She emphasized.
The Chief Administrative Officer for Mukono Elizabeth Namanda notes that other projects intended to uplift environmental protection are about to kick-start like Kisakombe swamp and the building of market which has been pending for some time now for lack of a titled land.
“The Mukono district Council passed a resolution to construct a modern abattoir at Kyetume slaughter hub in efforts for job creation and development but also other projects like Nakayaga-Seeta-Kayanja 17.4 kilometers and Kigombya-Seeta 8.8 kilometers roads are underway for construction in the next phases” She explained
Rev. Dr. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, the Mukono district Chairperson expressed gratitude with the government of Uganda for all the services extended to Mukono district which have changed the face of the district to now one of the fast growing areas around Kampala Capital City.
The deputy Resident District Commissioner for Mukono Moses Muyambi warned against theft of fuel and other building materials and also warned contractors to stick to the professional standards during the course of their contract.
“The district engineer cited cases of theft of fuel and other materials by the locals, so we’re going to keep a keen eye on this project to handle hostile elements intending to cripple government business” Muyambi notes
The village chairperson Wasswa Joseph Kyambadde called for more community engagement into this wonderful project intending to change the face of the sub county.
“Our children have been struggling to go to school, and our commodities entering into the market and now with a tarmac road in our area, we’re optimistic that many services are coming our way” He explained.
However ,the Mukono South Member of Parliament Fred Kayondo expressed fear that much as the project is much welcome but the speed of implementation doesn’t much the deadlines which may affect performance in one way or the other.
“I have officially started my oversight role as the area MP and I want to ask the contractors to please speed up this project considering the that they were already given upfront payment not less than Shs10 billion from the Shs 35.7 billion ” he noted