New Flyover Approved for Kampala-Jinja Highway, Boosting Worker Safety
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has approved the construction of a flyover on the Kampala–Jinja Highway at Nama Sub-county in Mukono District. This crucial development aims to significantly enhance pedestrian safety for the thousands of workers commuting to and from the Mbalala Industrial Park.
The President’s decision follows a heartfelt plea from Ronald Kibuule, former State Minister for Water Resources, during a recent presidential tour of the Greater Mukono Sub-region. Speaking at the Global Paper playground in Mbalala, where President Museveni met with industrial workers, Kibuule underscored the dangerous road conditions faced by the labourers.
“Your Excellency, the (grandchildren) have asked me to inform you that the road is too narrow for them to compete with heavy and speeding vehicles.4 Several of their colleagues have been knocked down and others left injured, especially while crossing the road,” Kibuule reported, relaying the workers’ pressing concerns.
The stretch of road between Mbalala Trading Centre and Namawojjolo has become a notorious high-risk zone, particularly for the over 23,000 workers employed in the area’s factories. The majority of these are casual labourers who often walk to and from work due to the high cost of transport and limited access to company-provided buses, which are typically reserved for formally contracted employees.
John Ssemuwemba, a factory worker, voiced the anguish of many: “It is painful to see someone who left home early in the morning to work for their family die in an accident. What is even worse is that many families receive no compensation.” He added that the road becomes even more perilous during the rainy season.
In response to these grave concerns, President Museveni directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to commence construction of the flyover urgently. He also ordered the upgrade of the entire road section through Mbalala and the installation of security lights to ensure safer passage during early morning and night hours.
“We are going to ensure this section of the road is improved and made safer for our workers. Installing lights and constructing a flyover will reduce these avoidable accidents,” President Museveni stated.
Local leaders and factory workers have enthusiastically welcomed the President’s directive, emphasising that the project will not only save lives but also restore dignity to the workers who are vital to Uganda’s industrial growth.
