Motorists using the Kampala–Masaka Highway have appealed to the Ugandan government and transport authorities to increase pressure on the Chinese company handling the new Katonga Bridge project to speed up construction and end the persistent traffic congestion along the route.
Transport along the highway was severely disrupted on May 14, 2023, after River Katonga burst its banks and swept away part of the road, cutting off one of Uganda’s busiest transport corridors.
In response, the government introduced temporary diversion routes as it searched for a contractor to reconstruct the bridge and restore smooth traffic flow.
Later, China Communication and Construction Company was contracted to undertake the reconstruction works at the river crossing.
However, motorists who regularly use the highway say the project is progressing too slowly.
On Sunday, traffic along the highway came to a near standstill after vehicles traveling from Masaka to Kampala failed to move for nearly five hours, while vehicles heading from Kampala to Masaka were allowed to proceed slowly.
The traffic jam reportedly stretched from Katonga to Nabyewanga for several hours, forcing some drivers and passengers to spend long hours stranded on the road.
Food vendors also took advantage of the situation by selling food and drinks to travelers caught in the gridlock.
Several motorists who spoke to Nile Post on condition of anonymity blamed the government for failing to put sufficient pressure on the contractor to complete the works faster.
“If this road had collapsed and work was handled efficiently, it would have been completed by now. But the pace of work suggests there is no pressure on the contractor, yet it is ordinary citizens suffering,” one driver said.
Another motorist questioned why the project has taken so long despite visible progress on the bridge structures.
“Previously, they were still fixing heavy metal structures in the water, and we understood it was a major engineering task. But now much of that work appears complete. We do not understand why they cannot finalize the road and allow us to resume normal travel,” he said.
Apart from the prolonged traffic delays, some motorists and passengers expressed fear about using the temporary bridge currently in place.
“Our lives are at risk every time we use that temporary bridge. Some of us are genuinely scared. When a heavy truck passes nearby, you can feel the bridge shaking. You end up praying to God just to cross safely,” another driver said.
A passenger echoed similar concerns, saying the sight of fast-moving water beneath the temporary structure and vibrations caused by heavy vehicles leave many travelers anxious whenever they cross.
Sunday’s situation worsened after traffic from Masaka to Kampala was temporarily halted, resulting in severe congestion that affected all vehicles, including ambulances and government convoys.
The affected motorists have now appealed to the government to urgently push CCC to expedite the construction works and restore normal traffic flow.
“It is true that this kind of project requires careful work and expertise, but the delay has become excessive. The government should ensure the contractor receives the necessary funding and finishes the remaining work quickly because road users are suffering,” another motorist said.
The spokesperson for the agency responsible for transport in the country, Allan Ssempebwa, said complaints from road users are understandable but asked them to remain patient as the project nears completion.
“I can only ask the people who use that road to remain patient because the delay is intended to ensure they get a strong and durable road. From what I can see, the work has moved at a good pace because it is now close to completion, and we do not expect to end this year before the project is completed,” Ssempebwa said.
The Katonga section of the Kampala–Masaka Highway collapsed in May 2023 following heavy flooding, severely affecting transport and trade along the route.
Reconstruction works are still ongoing, although some sections have already been paved, signaling that the project may be nearing completion.
