Mukono Municipal Council has recognised landlords who voluntarily surrendered portions of their land to facilitate the implementation of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP) roads project, describing their cooperation as a key factor behind the project’s progress.
During an appreciation and feedback ceremony organised by the municipality’s Community Development Department, officials commended the landowners for supporting one of the municipality’s largest urban infrastructure projects.
The Under Secretary for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, Monica Ademacu, praised the landlords, members of the Municipal Development Forum (MDF), contractors and the community for working together throughout the project.
She urged contractors to complete the remaining sections of the roads, including access roads leading to affected properties, and appealed to residents to protect the newly constructed infrastructure by safeguarding road signs, drainage channels and other public facilities from vandalism and misuse.
Ademacu also revealed that future Government and World Bank-funded infrastructure projects will require at least 70 percent consent from affected property owners on the right of way before implementation. She said the requirement is intended to minimise delays and disputes during project execution.
Mukono Municipal Town Clerk Francis Byabagambi reported that works under Lot 2, covering 8.68 kilometres of roads, are now 100 percent substantially complete, while construction under Lot 3 has reached 82 percent completion.
He said the project has delivered modern urban infrastructure, including solar-powered street lighting, drainage channels, road signs, road markings, culverts and improved road safety features, which have enhanced transport, business activities and the quality of life within the municipality.
Mukono Municipality Mayor Robert Peter Kabanda thanked all stakeholders whose collective efforts contributed to the project’s success. He pledged to prioritise service delivery during his term in office and urged other elected leaders to focus on improving services for residents.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Rhondah Tiiti Kagaaga commended the Government of Uganda and the World Bank for investing in Mukono’s infrastructure, saying the upgraded roads have improved mobility, boosted business opportunities and strengthened service delivery.
She called on residents, particularly the newly elected LC I chairpersons, to ensure roads and drainage channels remain clean by preventing littering and illegal dumping, while mobilising communities to participate in National Cleaning Days.
As part of the ceremony, the municipality presented certificates of appreciation to the landlords in recognition of their contribution towards the successful implementation of the GKMA-UDP roads project.
One of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs), Eng. Dan Male, who also serves as the Lugazi Diocesan Engineer, said the project initially attracted mixed reactions from residents before extensive community engagement helped build consensus.
“The project team explained the benefits of consenting to provide the required road reserve. Although there were differing opinions at first, we eventually reached an agreement,” Male said.
He noted that households whose properties were heavily affected, including those requiring relocation, were resettled in areas such as Bajjo and Serado. He added that damaged buildings were reconstructed, while one family opted for monetary compensation and received Shs 65 million before relocating.
Male commended the municipal leadership for remaining accessible whenever project-affected persons raised concerns.
He, however, observed that although the upgraded roads have significantly increased the value of properties along the corridors, some sections lacked pedestrian walkways, forcing pedestrians to share space with motorists.
Goma Division Speaker Simon Mwebe said land within Mukono Municipality is highly valuable, making the decision by residents to surrender portions of their land a demonstration of their commitment to development.
He said the willingness of landowners to cooperate had enabled the municipality to implement a project that will benefit generations through improved transport, better drainage and enhanced urban infrastructure.
