Delays and Land Wrangles Stall Greater Kampala’s Mega Infrastructure Project
Kampala, Uganda – The long-awaited Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme (GKMA-UDP) — a Shs 2.1 trillion, World Bank-supported project designed to overhaul roads, drainage and markets — is facing major setbacks. Land disputes, slow utility relocations, and procurement bottlenecks are threatening to derail the ambitious project, frustrating millions of residents across the metropolitan region.
What the Project Covers
Urban roads, drainage channels, and flood control works
Market upgrades and public space improvements
Infrastructure spanning Kampala, Entebbe, Kira, Nansana, Makindye-Ssabagabo, Mukono, Wakiso and Mpigi
The project is expected to reduce flooding, ease traffic congestion, and modernize urban markets — vital for the region’s 5+ million residents.
Key Bottlenecks
Land wrangles: Ongoing disputes over compensation and ownership in several project zones are stalling works.
Utility relocation costs: Moving water pipes, power lines, and telecoms cables has proven costlier and slower than planned.
Procurement delays: Bureaucratic red tape has left contractors waiting months for clearances, disrupting schedules.
Human Impact
Commuters continue to endure traffic gridlock on roads slated for expansion.
Vendors in old markets face unsafe, unsanitary conditions while waiting for upgrades.
Residents in flood-prone areas remain vulnerable as drainage works drag on.
Accountability Questions
Civil society groups are demanding transparency:
Who is responsible for resolving compensation disputes?
Are project funds at risk of overruns due to delays?
How will government ensure the World Bank loan delivers intended benefits?
What’s Next
Parliamentary committees are expected to summon the Ministry of Kampala and Urban Development to account for delays. The World Bank is also monitoring compliance closely, with the risk of withholding funds if performance targets are not met.
