KAMPALA, Uganda — Lawmakers have directed the Kampala Capital City Authority to implement axle load control measures on city roads to extend the roads’ lifespan.
The directive came Wednesday during a meeting of the Committee of Presidential Affairs with KCCA officials. The meeting reviewed KCCA’s defense of its proposal in the Ministerial Policy Statement for the 2026/27 financial year.
Iki-Iki County Member of Parliament, Hon. Robert Kasolo warned that without axle load control, the city would face continuous construction and repairs, leading to avoidable costs. “Axle load control involves regulating vehicle weight distribution to prevent road damage, enhance safety and even extends vehicle life,” Kasolo said.
Kikuube District Woman Representative, Hon. Flora Natumanya reiterated the need for funding for programs such as axle load control.
Bugiri District Woman MP, Hon. Agnes Taaka questioned why roads appear wider during construction but end up narrow upon completion.
Nakawa West MP, Hon. Ronald Balimwezo warned KCCA that he would reject the handover of substandard road projects once he assumes office as Kampala lord mayor.
“The state of some roads is appalling. There are deep potholes, and it is disheartening. As lord mayor-elect, I will not accept the handover of roads done in such an unacceptable manner,” Balimwezo said.
Balimwezo also raised concerns over what he described as systemic mismanagement of public assets, warning that KCCA is losing land worth billions of shillings. He said road reserves such as Kataza Link Road have reportedly been subdivided and encroached upon.
“The root cause of the problem is the lack of a proper property inventory system,” Balimwezo said, adding that “Parliament must ring-fence funds for a comprehensive asset register to safeguard public land.”
The minister of state for KCCA and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, identified road management, waste management and the city’s cleanliness as the most pressing challenges. He attributed delays in road projects to the relocation of utilities such as water pipes, electricity lines and sewer systems, which he said consume up to three months of project timelines.
