Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala Calls for NUP Headquarters Demolition to Expand Bombo Road
In a bold move aimed at improving Uganda’s road infrastructure, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, has announced plans to demolish several buildings along Bombo Road, including the newly constructed National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters and UMEME offices, to facilitate the road’s expansion.
Speaking during a press briefing, Gen. Katumba emphasized that the government intends to widen Bombo Road from two to five lanes in the next financial year as part of the broader strategy to ease traffic congestion and enhance road safety.
“To ensure a good road network that meets the growing demands of our population, we have to take bold steps. The expansion of Bombo Road is critical, and unfortunately, this means that buildings and businesses along the stretch will have to be evacuated,” Gen. Katumba stated.
Among the affected properties is the NUP headquarters, which was recently completed and is seen as a landmark for the opposition party. Gen. Katumba reassured the public that the government will compensate all affected property owners.
“The government is committed to providing fair compensation to all the businesses and residents who will be displaced. We understand the inconvenience, but it’s necessary for the greater good,” he added.
The minister also urged the affected entities to begin the process of registering with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) as soon as possible. “We encourage all those affected to register with URA and provide a home inventory so that the compensation process can be streamlined,” he guided.
The move has already sparked a debate, particularly from political circles, as some question whether the decision was politically motivated, given the involvement of NUP. However, Gen. Katumba maintained that the road expansion is a purely infrastructural project aimed at improving the country’s development.
“There is no politics in this; it’s purely about improving our road infrastructure. We need to think about the future and what’s best for Uganda,” he remarked.
The Bombo Road expansion project is expected to commence in the next financial year, with the Ministry of Works already finalizing plans to ensure a smooth implementation of the project.
