Kampala Northern Bypass Highway

Kampala Northern Bypass Highway, often referred to as the Northern Bypass, is a road in Uganda. It forms a semicircle across the northern suburbs of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The road was constructed to relieve traffic congestion within the city center, allowing cross-country traffic to bypass the city's downtown area.

Location

The Northern Bypass stretches from Bweyogerere, approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi),[1] to the east of downtown Kampala, winding through the suburbs of Naalya, Kiwaatule, Kulambiro, Kigoowa, Bukoto, Mulago, Makerere, Bwaise, Kawaala and Namungoona. The road ends in Busega, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi), west of the city. The coordinates of the road at its northernmost point are 00°21′56″N 32°36′18″E / 0.36556°N 32.60500°ECoordinates: 00°21′56″N 32°36′18″E / 0.36556°N 32.60500°E.

Overview

The Kampala Northern Bypass Highway opened to traffic on 1 October 2009. Constructed between 2004 and 2009, the Northern Bypass highway measures 21 kilometres (13 mi). It is the first dual carriageway highway in Uganda. The road cost US$50 million to construct (approximately US$7 million over budget). The project was funded by the European Union and the Uganda Government. By diverting traffic around the city, the road is aimed at relieving congestion on the streets of Kampala.[2]

Expansion

In August 2012, Ugandan print media reported that expansion of the road to dual carriageway the entire length, would begin in the first quarter of 2013. Funding for this second phase of the highway is provided by (a) the European Investment Bank, (b) the European Union and (c) the Government of Uganda.[3] Construction costs for the second phase are estimated at €60 million (US$74 million) or UGX:183 billion.[4] In May 2014, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), awarded the construction contract for the expansion of the road to Mota-Engil, Engenharia E Construcao SA, a subsidiary of the Mota-Engil civil engineering and construction conglomerate, based in Portugal. Construction is expected to start in June 2014 and last approximately three years.[5] In October 2014, Uganda print media reported that the construction of the expanded road would begin in December 2014 and last approximately 30 months.[6] On February 23 2015, the widening of the highway was officially launched. The total bill is budgeted at €67.4 million (about UGX217 billion). The breakdown of the funding sources is illustrated in the table below:[7]

Kampala Northern Bypass Extension Funding
Rank Development PartnerContribution in €sUGX EquivalentPercentageNotes
1European Union37.0 million119.0 billion 54.90Grant
2European Investment Bank15.0 million48.15 billion 22.25Loan
3Government of Uganda15.4 million49.43 billion22.85 Equity
Total67.4 million216.58 billion 100.00 4 Lanes

Points of interest

Some of the points of interest along or near the Kampala Northern Bypass Highway include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Estimated Travel Distance Between Kampala And Bweyogerere With Map". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  2. ↑ Mulondo, Moses (28 September 2009). "Northern Bypass Opens On Thursday, 1 October 2009". New Vision. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  3. ↑ Balagadde, Samuel (10 August 2012). "Expansion of Northern Bypass Starts Early 2013". New Vision. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  4. ↑ Kalungi, Nicholas (17 August 2012). "European Union Lines Shs183 Billion To Expand Northern Bypass". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Anguyo, Innocent (13 May 2014). "Portuguese Firm Awarded Sh200 Billion Northern Bypass Contract". New Vision. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  6. ↑ Balagadde, Samuel (16 October 2014). "USh30 Billion Set for Compensation On Second Phase of Northern Bypass". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  7. ↑ APA, . (24 February 2015). "Ugandan Leader Commissions EU-Funded Northern By-Pass Highway". En.starafrica.com. Retrieved 25 February 2015.

External links