Site visit for verification of projects being worked on by NEMA for EIA

With focus on critical sections of the road and swamps/drainages, a team composed of representatives from Kira Municipal Councils, NEMA, Ministry of Kampala City and Metropolitan Affairs and GKMA-UDP Consulting Engineers has had an engagement and site visit aiming at inspection of the projects which are under study for Social and Environmental Impact Assessment by NEMA for verification before the commencement of construction. Sites visited include: Eden Road linking Kyaliwajala –Kira road from Total fuel station to Princess Road, Princess Road locally known as Kimbejja linking Kyaliwajala – Naalya stretch from Viena College through Lukingiridde Swamp to Busibante in Najjera, St. Kizito Kapeera, with a link from Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine to Kapeera- Kyaliwajjala market and from Kapeera through Nganda stretch via Matter Wood Hotel- Country INN cottage to Kira Police,  Namugongo Nsawo stretch through Bweyogerere Butto to Bweyogerere trading centre, Bweyogerere Butto Ring, Bweyogerere Bombay (Focusing mostly on the drainage which starts from the Railway line) Bweyogerere- Kikonko- Namanve linking Bwyogerere Kirinya to Namanve Industrial Park among others.

According to Dr. Eng. Lammeck Kajubi from Queensland & Leeds Consulting Engineers- a sub contractor of Atro E&M the inspection aimed at looking through the project sites to have an overview of the potential Social and Environmental impacts when the construction commences

Among other areas to be given priority are Nanteza road- a Ring road in Kungu, Kireka- Kamuli Road, Ndagire road,  Kira –Kitto –Nsasa (Linking Kyaliwajala –Kira to Bulido –Nsasa –Namugongo stretch)  and Lusirika in batch 1B funded by the World Bank, AFD, JICA and the Government of Uganda through the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Urban Development Program

Concerns observed

Much dust affecting busnessness on the main road for example saloons, food vending, supermarkets and shops leading to closure.

People encroaching on the wetlands likely to be affected more during the construction and after due to the blockage of the natural storm water pass ways.

Dumping of garbage associated with Community members connecting their sewerages to open drainage channels passing through the communities

Hardships in relocation of utilities such as electric poles delaying project implementation.