Opinion: A never ending story called the Northern Bypass…

This is becoming a never ending story. Where the state, all the various ministries, state owned organizations and whoever gotten the tender has been able to finish the project of 21 kilometres or 23 kilometres. Since on that one this project even differs.

What we do know is that this have been in the courts over battle over payment for land. It has been postponed and stopped, because the company doing the work has been shoddy. There been plenty of controversy and not all good news. That is why these kilometres has taken so long to build and still isn’t finished.

It is really amazing how this continues and it seems that this will be prolonged even longer. Because, we know what season its getting into. Election season and then all sorts of budgets and campaigns whacks out everything else. Even if this one is now scheduled to be done by 2021. But we know how flexible the end-dates are. So don’t be confused if it is still unfinished in 2023 or 2025. Because this project that was launched in 2004 seems to be alive and kicking a little bit longer.

New Vision 2008:

“THE public is still awaiting the opening of the 21km Kampala Northern Bypass. The project was launched on May 20, 2004 and was to last 30 months, ending on November 19, 2006. It was later extended by 10 months to September 2007. This was later to change to March this year, which deadline was also not met. This delay is causing public concern. Apart from reports of extortion by the guards who allow motorists to use the road illegally, accidents are beginning to happen” (Chris Kiwawulo – ‘Will the Northern Bypass ever be completed?’ 25.04.2008).

JICA Report in 2010:

“The recent cooperation of the EU for the GKMA urban road sector is as follows:

• Kampala Northern Bypass: €47.5 million, Construction of 21 km bypass to relieve congestion in Kampala City (completed and opened to the public in October 2009).

• Technical Assistance to RAFU/UNRA: €2.0 million (on-going)” (JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY (JICA) – ‘THE STUDY ON GREATER KAMPALA ROAD NETWORK AND TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA –

FINAL REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – NOVEMBER 2010).

CSBAG Paper 2018:

“For example,the works on Kampala Northern Bypass registered a cumulative progress by end of June 2017 of 46.7% against the programmed 97.95%. The elapsed time was 98.81% based on the Original Program of Works. The major issues affecting progress is delayed site access, Design issues and Relocation of services” (…) “ Kampala Northern Bypass highlighted as a project to be concluded in FY 2018/19. This is not feasible as none of the six roundabouts which have sizable infrastructural and structural undertakings has been commenced on” (CSBAG – ‘CSO POSITION PAPER ON THE WORKS AND TRANSPORTSECTOR BUDGET FY2018/19’ 12.04.2018).

Article October 2019:

“The upgrade of the Kampala Northern by pass into a four-lane high way started back in 2014 with the completion date set for November 2018. However, the date has been pushed to 2021 due to a couple of challenges hindering the project which include; changes on the original design and compensation of the affected people. Mr. Allan Ssempebwa, UNRA’s media manager last month said that the works stood at 60% and mentioned that the interchanges at Sentema and Namungoona will be handed over to the government by the end of this year” (Patrick Mulyungi – ‘Uganda to launch three new footbridges on Kampala Northern Bypass’ 02.10.2019).

So, we are seeing the stages of building is either not done or postponed. This is all done by various of reasons. The Kampala Northern Bypass are really a long prolonged project that seemingly seems never to end. Even the government own paper wondered about that 11 years ago and we have to wait another two years. But knowing how this ones goes. Don’t expect the state to follow its timeline.

What I wondering about, how proud is the European Union for supporting the project and the longevity of this. There should be questions from the ones who has funded it and why it takes so long. Since, they are accepting it and surely gotten the explanations. Because, we who follows haven’t really.

There are lame duck excuses with the land and the state paying the ones living there. Where the state has to pay for the hurt of building a road on private land. If they planned this and commenced this in 2004. By the time of 2019, the state should have been able to settle this and know the route of the road. However, they are showing lack of due diligence and putting the work in.

Because, the Northern Bypass should have been done by now. That isn’t rocket-science. This is made like this since people are eating of this project. Not like it should take this long to finish a 21/23 kilometres long tarmacked road around Kampala. But apparently it does. Peace.

Heartbreaking story from Bwaise, Kampala yesterday: “A young man and girl friend who fell into a gang holding out to be a national army has sent me this message for your attention.” – Charles Rwomushana

Afterthought: 

This what the state and the army is doing to young people, civilians, citizens who hasn’t done anything else then passing by. This is just sad and heartbreaking as this is maybe one of many, but not everybody have the stomach to drop the knowledge to Charles Rwomushana or anybody else.

If you believe the government of Uganda cares or have an army for the people, you are wrong, they are only there to secure Museveni, not the rest of the people. Only his wealth and riches. The UPDF is now even scouting their prey instead of being a force securing the borders of the country. This story is sad, but need to be spread so the world can know of the violence and mentality of the army there. Peace.

Here are some of the current issues in Uganda; my quick opinion on them without organizations or order; just as my mind is adressing them; from Yiira Republic to Sipi Falls, until the Butabika Hospital and so on.

We all know lots of things is happening as the Police Force is monitoring every movement of the Opposition and closer than ever before. The squad cars and the flying squad is more active than the government facilities in the country. There is only one brain who speaks to motion of the Don, which is Ofwono Opondo who I am soon think is a blood brother of Museveni; because they are two people, but they are argument and ideas are just the same. If not then the Don have messed with the mind of Opondo and made into his clone. Something he did not manage with Tamale Mirundi, but Mirundi is shooting at everybody like a AK47 does, and Opondo knows that. Therefore he sounds like you Don. Museveni, but let’s look at the current things that are clearly active issue after this rigged elections.

Rwenzori and Rwezori Sub-Region and the Yiira Republic it must stain the mouth of Mzee to utter those words. Yiira Republic of the proud mountain tribes of Rwenzori, eh! The one nation resurrected every time there is violence in the area. Kind of like every time Louis Suarez, Neymar or Messi scores the trio of MSN works to perfection for the Catalonian team of FC Barcelona.

The newly insurgents in Kasese and Rwenzori Sub-Region have claimed to work for this Yiira Republic, that preposterous idea that have no substance. That Don Museveni even claims that Dr. Kizza Besigye have promised the locals this, is not true, even Dr. Kizza Besigye says so at once on his Facebook status. And it is not strange, when the Yiira Republic is a made up NRM needed excuse for militia works in the region. To put blame on locals instead of taking in the Police Force who has been killing royal guards of the Rwenzururu Kingdom. But that will not happen, as they are associates and close connected in some ways to the NRM Mafia.

There are some wonder of the word, there is Sipi Falls and Murchinson Falls, and ten there are the Karuma Dam who is not well-made at construction, so before opening the grand project the issue of the construction are falling apart – and that happens from the get-go. That can only be seen as symbolic relic of the empty promises of the current regime. The contractors have not worked well for the state and delivered quality construction.

The Regime have been loose on the money as the UNRA have fired most of their staff recently as the World Bank suspended most of their budget support for their road buildings during late 2015. So there been reported that the Kampala Northern Bypass the new extension of the carriageway was set to cost $2,5m per kilometre instead it cost $9,4m shows the placement of government funds and the NRM Regime let the contractors easily eat the money without any consequence. But hey, this is not a monumental dam, where the construction is weak and not well made.

The Ugandan Government cannot help them to attack Dr. Kizza Besigye of the FDC. He is the main target first for offering the Rwenzori the Yiira Republic, which was made as a suggestion and proposal from the kingpin of Museveni. Second attack on him personally was from CP Fred Enaga of the Uganda Police Force, who claim that Besigye disobey Police Orders because of the Illegal Procession. If you read the Police Bond it was saying a “Illegal Prossession” which I am not sure what is a “Prossession”. If Besigye was in a Pros-Session like skaters usually are in the U.S. then he would skate away from the matter, something CP Fred Enaga should do. Since they have more to answer, as Besigye was illegally under house-arrest for over 40 days, when the laws of Uganda, gives it max over 40 hours! 40 hours is like 2 days in my calculation, and means that the Uganda Police Force have violated Dr. Kizza Besigye for over 38 days and CP Fred Enaga, IGP Kale Kayihura and the Don Museveni should ask for forgiveness for their hatred towards Besigye and the political party of the FDC.

You also have Cobalt 60 Teletherapy Machine have been down for a month at Mulago Hospital Complex at the Ugandan Cancer Institute. And there issues are the neglect and missing funds for the supposed building and procurement of the new Cancer machine for Chemotherapy and happen to be the only one in Uganda, and it has not gotten any new since 1995. There only been slight repairs while the patients are expected to be charged 30,000 shillings for going there. Still, there are no funds for getting a new machine, even if there been steady funds and a procurement already paid for. There is someone who is eating the money that was supposed to facilitate the cancer sick!

There isn’t only Dr. Jackson Orem of Mulago who is working under torn mechanical issues, even at Butabika Hospital Director David Basangwa told Parliament today that their 400m shilling machine broke down last month. But this is just scratching an itch for the ruling regime, as they recently fixed more money, but not for the health care that has dire need for it!

As recently the Uganda Police Force have been lucky for their great work of keeping Besigye under siege in Kasangati and gotten supplementary budget of 34 Billion Shillings in the 2015/2016; then there is the Ministry of Defense gotten the supplementary Budget of 253 Billion Shillings in the 2015/2016. State House because of being broke after using the funds for the Presidential Campaign and buying votes they got supplementary Budget of 21 Billion Shillings in the 2015/2016. This is not enough for the President as he has not eaten enough yet, therefore the Office of the President getting also supplementary budget of 8.6 Billion Shillings in the 2015/2016.

You also have the fight for the Speaker in the Parliament under the 10^th Parliament that is for the Rebecca Kadaga and the Jacob Oulanyah works both to become Speaker and Kadaga as Incumbent feels that she is deserves to be it again. While again Hon. Sam Kuteesa says he doesn’t want the special chair and respected position there. As Hon. Kuteesa are happy to be an unopposed MP for the NRM this coming term. Certainly there will be some action between Jacob and Rebecca as they both wants the Nobel task in Parliament.

There will be happening more of this; because the NRM can’t help not to deliver to other things than to their Executive, their paid elite and again praise the Don! On his quest through the playground and total control of the Government of Uganda and their funds; with his racketeering through the NRM and hope to be not questioned how he does use the funds or take it when he needs. Peace.

KJE (Kampala-Jinja expressway): As expensive as it could be or more

Kampala-Jinja Expressway KJE) the PPP road project that cost the double in 2 Years time:

Today UNRA put out a tender for the KJE or Kampala – Jinja Expressway. That will be a Public-Private Partnership, which means that the government project will be financially funding through the investors that will get back on their investment through the tolling of the commuters and traffic on the road after building the project/road. UNRA has the official follow-up of the KJE and will oversee that the company or companies that they keeps up with the set standards. Though it worrying to see how the numbers has gone up for the project from $ 0,5USD Billion in 2013 to Ministry of Transport set the contract for $ 1USD Billion on the same project. Here is the main quotes from different sources and I myself wonder if this in the re-up for a similar “Project 1034: Mukono-Katosi Road Scandal” with Corruption and also bad practices with financial issues since they did not follow “due diligence” on the contracts on that. But let’s hope, here is what that is out there now.

IMF reports in 2013 saying that the cost of the project would be $ 0,5USD Billions, that funding aren’t made with government money, but through PPP funding. This is all a part of the main issues which is this: “An additional investment of $200 million on the needed connectivity (e.g. roads, bridges) for the start of oil production in 2018 is also anticipated” (…)”Roads. The program mainly includes construction of roads linking Kampala with Jinja and with Mpigi, expected to start in FY2013/14 and be completed in five years at a cost of about $500 million each”  (IMF, 2013).

“According to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) spokesperson Dan Alinange, the government has hired the World Bank’s International Finance (IFC) as advisor to help in the tender process” (…)”The six-lane, 77km Kampala-Jinja road will be the first PPP road project in Uganda and the second toll road in the country after the $470m Kampala-Entebbe road that is currently under construction” (…)”Alinange added: “We want to reduce congestion on this corridor for Uganda. We are aware there is enormous appetite for this sort of project and that’s what gave us confidence to structure Jinja-Kampala as a PPP” (RTT, 2014).

“The project involves the development of a six-lane 77-km road project. The project aims to improve road infrastructure in Uganda, improve road safety and facilitate trade and tourism. The project will be developed on a design, build, finance and operation (DBFO) basis. The total project investment is estimated at around US$1 billion” (Martin, 2014).

“One of the roads is the Kampala-Jinja expressway estimated at about $800m (about sh2.13 trillion). The new road will help decongest the old Kampala-Jinja road that forms part of the Trans-African highway” (…)”Construction of the 80km state-of-the-art road is expected to commence in 2015. About sh200b has been earmarked for compensation of the affected people” (…)Eng. David Luyimbazi said: “The investor will recover the money through charging a toll fee from road users over a 20- 25-year concessional period.” (Ogwang).

Background from the WB:

“In 2011, PPIAF provided follow-up support to identify and prioritize potential PPP projects. Ten priority projects were identified, including the Kampala-Jinja road, which is now under implementation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) appointed as the transaction advisor” (…)”In May 2014, IFC’s Advisory Services in PPPs signed an advisory agreement with the GOU, through the UNRA, to develop a 77 km greenfield expressway between Kampala and Jinja” (World Bank, 2015).

More from PPIAF:

“One of the priority projects – Kampala-Jinja – road is now under implementation with IFC appointed as the transaction advisor. PPIAF recently approved a grant in partnership with Trademark EA (TMEA) and IFC to support two main tasks: the development of a tolling policy and an investment appraisal guidance tool, and strengthening the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA’s) capacity to implement PPP projects” (…)“In May 2014, IFC’s Advisory Services in PPPs signed an advisory agreement with the GOU, through the UNRA, to develop a 77 km greenfi eld expressway between Kampala and Jinja with a possible extension to include the 17 km Kampala Southern Bypass. Together with the existing Kampala Northern Bypass the expressway would form a ring road around Kampala City. The project, with an estimated capital cost of $1 billion, will seek a concessionaire to design, build, fi nance, and operate the road as a tolled facility” (PPIAF, 2014).

KJE:

“The project involves the construction of a green field dual carriageway expressway between Kampala and Jinja. The road extends from the boundary of the jurisdiction of the Kampala Capital City Authority (approximately 3 km from the city centre) to Jinja town tying in with the proposed New Nile Bridge. Consequently the nominal length of the project road is about 77km. The existing road, which will remain as a free alternative is a class 1 asphalt paved road in a fairly good condition” (UNRA, 2014).

“The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is the implementing agency for the planned KAMPALA JINJA TOLL EXPRESSWAY. It will link the capital with the important industrial area of Jinja. Past plans have been for four to six lanes for the 77-kilometre road. Cost estimates have also varied from USD 700 million to USD 1 billion. There are reports that the ministry of transport will be floating a USD 1 billion Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) tender and that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) will be the lead financial adviser. Construction could commence in 2015 with commissioning in 2020. COMESA has declared it to be a priority Project that is an important component of the Mombasa-Kampala – Kigali northern corridor” (APA, 2014).

“Progress on Capacity improvement projects around Kampala:

Kampala – Jinja Express Highway (Funded under PPP), 77km, Detailed Engineering design completed Construction will be financed under PPP. Transactions Advisor (International Finance Cooperation) is assisting in structuring the project into a bankable PPP Project. Tendering for financing and implementation is expected in May 2015″ (UNRA, 2015).

Here is the tender dropped from UNRA today:

Also this:

Reference:

Africa Project Access (APA) – ‘Africa Project Newsletter: Issue 234’ (Nov. 2014) link: https://www.wko.at/Content.Node/service/aussenwirtschaft/NEWSLETTER-234-November-2014.pdf

Martin, Miguel – ‘MegaProject 334: Uganda to tender Kampala – Jinja Expressway next year’ (17.10.2014) link: http://infrapppworld.com/2014/10/megaproject-334-uganda-to-tender-kampala-jinja-expressway-next-year.html

IMF – ‘IMF Country Report No. 13/375: UGANDA FIRST REVIEW UNDER THE POLICY SUPPORT INSTRUMENT’ (Des. 2013) link: https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2013/cr13375.pdf

RoadTrafficTechnology – ‘Uganda plans to float $1bn PPP tender for Kampala-Jinja road in 2015’ (17.10.2014) link: http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/news/newsuganda-plans-to-float-1bn-ppp-tender-for-kampala-jinja-road-in-2015-4409054

Ogwang, Joel – ‘Govt joins World Bank to build $1.5b road projects’ link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/mobile/Detail.aspx?NewsID=641587&CatID=3

PPIAF – ‘PPIAF Supports Uganda’s Roads PPP Program’ (July 2014) link: http://www.ppiaf.org/sites/ppiaf.org/files/publication/Impact-Story-Uganda-Roads.pdf

UNRA – ‘Investor Teaser June 2014: Design, Build, Finance & Operate: Kampala Jinja Expressway (77km) & Kampala Southern Bypass (17km)’ (June, 2014) link: http://www.inspiratia.com/Content/Files/View.ashx?FileID=cb5ec032-d0e6-4218-a24e-c248fd2c6d19

UNRA – ‘ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE KEY TO DEVELOPMENT’ (2015) link: http://www.eagle.co.ug/ads/UNRA2015.pdf

World Bank – ‘Partnering to Support Uganda’s Roads PPP Program’ (25.09.2015) link: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/09/25/partnering-to-support-ugandas-roads-ppp-program