KCCA Deputy Executive Director Urges Contractors to Prioritize Safety and Orderliness at Construction Sites

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Deputy Executive Director, Benon Kigenyi, has issued a firm warning to contractors working on road projects, urging them to give top priority to safety, cleanliness, and proper utility coordination at construction zones.

While inspecting major roadworks under the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP) in the Industrial Area on Thursday, Kigenyi expressed concern that simply marking open manholes with caution tape was inadequate.

He instructed the contractors to fully cover open manholes to prevent potential hazards to both pedestrians and drivers.

“Putting up warning tape is not sufficient. The manholes need to be sealed,” Kigenyi said. “People could fall in, and that kind of carelessness defeats the whole purpose of improving the roads.”

He further directed that construction sites must be kept neat and orderly, debris must be cleared—especially where it is blocking business entrances—and temporary walkways should be provided to ensure pedestrian safety.

“We cannot allow road construction to disrupt businesses,” he emphasized. “Sites must be kept clean, organized, and safe for all who use the road.”

Kigenyi also stressed the importance of utility coordination, urging contractors to include ducting for underground cables. He explained that this would allow telecommunications and other utility companies to install their infrastructure underground, rather than stringing cables above ground.

“There are just too many dangling wires in the city. It’s both an eyesore and a safety concern,” he pointed out. “Let’s use this chance to shift them underground.”

He was joined on the inspection by Eng. Justus Akankwasa, Director of Engineering and Technical Services, and Eng. Maurice Kairania, Deputy Director for Roads and Drainage.

The site visit covered roads under Lot III of the KCRRP, including 5th, 6th, and 7th Streets currently under reconstruction to reduce traffic bottlenecks and support commerce in the Industrial Area.

KCRRP is a major infrastructure initiative jointly funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Uganda. It seeks to revamp more than 70 kilometers of city roads, upgrade drainage systems to reduce flooding, and install street lighting to enhance security.

As construction advances, KCCA has reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring high standards, public safety, and minimal disruption to the daily lives of Kampala’s residents.