Several roads, including Rashid Khamis Road, Kamwokya–Kira Road and 6th Street in Namuwongo, are currently under construction, with sections closed off to traffic. While the works are intended to improve infrastructure, traders say the pace of implementation has frustrated daily commercial activity.
“We do not know what is going on around here. They came, dug up the road and left it like that,” said a businessman along Ben Kiwanuka Road. “Taxi operators have now turned this whole area into a taxi park because there is no progress in construction.”
The disruption has left some businesses struggling with reduced customer access and congestion as vehicles divert into nearby streets.
Kampala Central Division Mayor Salim Uhuru attributed the delays to corruption, alleging that irregularities among city technocrats have contributed to contractors failing to meet agreed timelines.
He said some contractors were not adhering to contractual obligations, including deadlines outlined in their agreements with the city authorities.
“I call upon the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to step in and take over the issuing of contracts and the entire construction and rehabilitation of roads in the central business district. This will stop contractors from doing a disservice to Ugandans by working at their own pace,” Uhuru said.
However, contractors say work is ongoing despite operational challenges.
Ram Kumili, a site engineer with Ram Constructions overseeing works on Rashid Khamis Road, said the project is still on schedule for completion within the contractual timeframe of 10 months.
“Our biggest challenge has been traffic congestion, which sometimes slows down construction activities because people are still using these roads,” Kumili said. “Even with that, we are confident we will complete the works in time.”
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) says it remains confident that all ongoing road projects will be completed within the agreed timelines.
KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabiine said the authority is closely monitoring implementation and noted that some completed projects on connecting roads have already improved mobility in parts of the city.
“The construction works are ongoing, and in some cases even happening at night, which shows the seriousness of the contractors,” Nuwabiine said. “We are confident they will be completed on time.”
He added that the current focus is on improving internal city roads to ease traffic flow and support business activity once completed.
The competing explanations from city leadership, contractors and affected businesses highlight growing tension over infrastructure delivery in Kampala’s busiest commercial zones, where prolonged construction has become a daily disruption to economic activity.