In 2023, there were plans underway for Jinja City to host Formula One. It simply fizzled out. – at Jinja, Uganda

CONSTRUCTION OF 11 JINJA CITY ROADS START. What you need to know: Jinja starts major road rehabilitation after years of neglect. Jinja City has launched a Shs82.88 billion project to rehabilitate and upgrade 13.82 kilometres of roads, beginning a major facelift for a network that has gone for years without substantial rehabilitation. The first phase will cover Ripon, Narambai, Oboja, Nile Crescent, Kirinya, Kyabazinga, Elgon Close, Kisinja Close, Nile Avenue and Gokhale roads. The project is being implemented under a pre-financing arrangement by Abubaker Technical Services and General Suppliers Ltd, which will initially finance the works before being reimbursed by the government. Speaking at the launch on Friday, Jinja Mayor Abdulhafidh Nagaya said the project responds to longstanding complaints over the condition of the city’s roads. “We have suffered a lot, but the government finally got our outcry and we were allocated around Shs83 billion to work on our roads,” Mr Nagaya said. Jinja Assistant City Clerk John Choli Goloba said the city has about 800 kilometres of roads, including approximately 205 kilo metres within the central business district. He said upgrading a kilometre of road can cost between Shs4 billion and Shs6 billion, depending on the scope of works. Herbert Ssemanda, the project coordinator at Abubaker Technical Services and General Suppliers Ltd, said works would begin on Monday with Ripon and Owen roads, which were prioritised because of their drainage and runoff impact on surrounding communities. Although the contract runs for six years, Mr Ssemanda said the contractor intends to complete the works in about three years. The contractor has established a camp at the Jinja City Council yard and deployed engineers, a surveyor, materials engineer, health and safety officer and environmental officer. Mr Goloba urged residents to cooperate with the contractor, avoid closed roads and protect construction materials from theft or damage. Government promises oversight. Jinja Resident City Commissioner Salim Komakech said the project is part of the government’s phased plan to improve infrastructure in the city. “Development of a country happens with a plan and it must be in stages. We have reached a stage where we are going to see major roads in Jinja going to be tarmacked. So it is a matter of patience,” Mr Komakech said. He said the government would protect contractors undertaking genuine work from interference while ensuring projects meet required standards and provide value for money. “Our commitment is to ensure that the work you are supposed to deliver on behalf of government for the people of Jinja is done well and gives value for money,” he said. Komakech also urged the contractor to complete the works within the agreed timeframe, saying the government would meet its obligations to the service provider. Jinja Southern Division Deputy Mayor Dan Kasadha welcomed the project but warned against substandard work. More roads planned Former Jinja Municipality Mayor Mohammed Baswale Kezaala said the city’s wide roads were largely shaped by a master plan developed by German architect Ernst May in the late 1940s. Kezaala, who is also Deputy Head of Mission at the Uganda Embassy in Qatar, said the plan incorporated wide roads, underground drainage and walkways, making rehabilitation works expensive. Jinja City Speaker Juma Ssozi said the current phase was only the beginning, with plans to extend road rehabilitation to the Northern Division. He said the city was also pursuing another Shs101 billion programme, including the proposed 9.8-kilometre Dunlop-Masese Road, estimated to cost about Shs62 billion. Ssozi said additional road projects were expected under other government programmes and the World Bank-supported Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme, including the Walukuba-Masese and Jinja-Mbulamuti roads. Courtesy: @DailyMonitor – at Kampala, Uganda