We shall complete Kampala pothole repairs ahead of time, says SFC

The Special Forces Command engineering regiment is upbeat it will complete the remaining works on repairing Kampala roads ahead of the time.

Speaking on Monday, the assistant project manager, Lt Eng. Kikomeko Kigongo said they have repaired over 75% of the potholes and as much as 90% in terms of the sectional repairs.

“We have done nearly 75% of the pothole areas and we are certain we will reach 80% during this phase. We will complete the remaining 20% when we request for the balance in the next phase. We still have another seven months to go since the schedule was 12 months,” Lt Eng. Kikomeko said.

The Special Forces Command was last year allowed to help KCCA maintain Kampala roads and the scope of work included repairing of potholes and doing sectional road works on selected roads.

SFC was asked to work on Rashid Khamis Road, Nsalo road, Old Kampala ring, Fort Road, School road, Lower Kololo Terrace, K.A.R road, Snay Bin Amir rise, Kiyembe lane, William Street, Burton Street, Wilson Street, Dustur Street, Sikh Street, Berkeley road, Ginnery road and Boundary road among others in the Central Business District.

Speaking on Monday, Lt Eng. Kikomeko said despite delays caused by budget constraints, repair works have resumed.

“Despite the budget constraints with government, we are moving on well.

Initially, the work was supposed to be done for shs2.1 billion but according to the assistant project manager, this has risen up to shs3.8 billion caused by an increase in the scope of work.

“The additional work was identified in form of potholes, concrete and drainages to bring it to about shs3.8 billion. For now, we have received about shs2.2 billion and we have done nearly all sections we were supposed to do, we have done 90% of the drainage in the second scope,” he said.

According to Lt Eng. Kikomeko, initially, SFC was supposed to fill 12,000 square metres of potholes but this scope was increased by another 7000 to take it to nearly 20,000 square metres.

“For now, our task is about 20,000 square metres but we have sealed more than 14,000 square metres,” Lt Eng. Kikomeko said.

He however insisted that the repairs are only a temporary solution as the roads need a complete overhaul.

“What we are doing is maintenance to give the roads an extra edge in performance but in their nature, they are dilapidated and they need reconstruction. However, because of budget constraints, government may be planning otherwise,” Lt Eng. Kikomeko advised.