Pothole menace to be tackled by July - Gen Katumba Wamala

The Minister of Works and Transport, General Katumba Wamala, has pledged to address the persistent issue of potholes plaguing the city by July.

Speaking at the Iftar dinner hosted by Yuasa Investments Limited at the Sheraton Hotel on Friday evening, Gen Katumba assured the nation of forthcoming constructions of new roads and rehabilitations of the old ones with aim of alleviating the longstanding problem of potholes.

"By July, the issue of potholes will be sorted," he said.

"Constructions and rehabilitation of new roads around the city will commence in that month, so as to solve the unending problem of potholes."

The minister also addressed the escalating number of road accidents claiming numerous lives across Uganda.

Expressing his concern over the alarming statistics, he called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to combat this menace.

"The crashes on our roads are terrible, and every year we keep counting numbers," lamented Katumba.

"I'm looking for partners to champion the fight against road accidents. I call upon all road users to act responsibly while on the roads. Road safety is not a one-man's business; it's not just the police. Let's all be disciplined while on the roads."

Potholes have long been a ubiquitous nuisance on Kampala's roads, causing frustration for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

In December last year Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) announced a groundbreaking initiative to eliminate potholes by mid-January 2024, a pledge that has since lived n limbo.