KAMPALA city roads are set for a $15.8m (about sh27.7b) overhaul next year. The three-year initiative will be funded by the World Bank under the, Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project.

The funds will cater for traffic management, road maintenance and upgrading. About $1.5m, $9.9m, and $4.4m will be spent in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
 
"The state of Kampala''s infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired. After operationalising this project, things will change forever," said Tamale Kiggundu, the project coordinator.

He noted that since most city roads were constructed 40-years ago, patch-ups were unnecessary. "Patching-up the roads is useless and costly. We shall resurface and tarmac the roads," he said, adding that they would also widen the Lubigi and Nalukolongo drainage channels.

Lubigi, he said, flooded Bwaise while Nalukolongo flooded Nateete, Ndeeba and parts of Kibuye. Kiggundu added that Kampala, with seven drainage systems, was facing a challenge of dealing with floods when it rains, so the project would focus on the flooding areas.

The Mukwano clock tower road, Lugogo by-pass and Kira road will be re-surfaced while Kalerwe-Bwaise road will be tarmacked.

The project is independent of the current road works being conducted ahead of the Commonwealth summit.