Procurement for the contractor for second phase of the 21km Kampala Northern Bypass is set for December and the real construction works is to start early next year.

An artist impression of the Northern Bypass after the second phase

The construction is funded by the European Investment bank, European Union and the Government of Uganda. Costs on this phase will be relatively lower as land had been procured and construction of bridges was finished during the first phase.

However, Dan Alinange, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) spokesperson said they are acquiring more land at some round-abouts that are to be widened and turned into flyovers.

He said valuation of the property for those expected to be affected has already been finalised pending compensation. Round-abouts to be expanded include Kalerwe, Busega, Ntinda, Kisaasi and Nansana and all residents around them are to be relocated.

The road, which stretches from Mandela Stadium at Bweyogerere to Busega round-about, is to be turned into a dual carriage road, when the second phase is completed.

The first phase was constructed by Salini and works commenced in 2004 at a unit cost of $1.74m per kilometer funded by the EU and the Government of Uganda.

The first phase involved construction of 10 bridges, one pedestrain footbridge and a number of side access roads.

By Samuel Balagadde, The New Vision