Mabira road repairs nearing completion amid festive rush
Travelers heading east on the Jinja-Kampala highway are facing delays at Mabira Forest as ongoing road repairs continue to slow traffic.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) initiated these repairs last month to enhance safety along the highway, but the work remains incomplete as the repair team broke off for Christmas holidays.
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UNRA spokesperson Allan Ssempebwa explained that while the project was initially scheduled for completion earlier this month, unforeseen challenges caused delays.
He assured the public that the repair team would resume work on December 28 and that the remaining tasks would be completed within three days.
“We anticipated completing by the beginning of December, but we were delayed by the unavailability of materials. The team will finalize the repairs shortly after resuming work,” Ssempebwa stated.
Ssempebwa also highlighted a concurrent effort to seal potholes along the entire highway from Lugazi to Jinja, aiming to improve road safety in the long term.
However, travelers and stakeholders continue to call for a more comprehensive solution, urging the government to consider reconstructing the stretch from Lugazi to the Nile Bridge, which they describe as being in a deplorable state.
Mabira Forest has long been a known black spot on the Jinja-Kampala highway, with the poor road conditions contributing to numerous accidents, particularly during festive seasons when traffic volumes surge.
Road users are concerned that patchwork repairs may not adequately address the underlying issues, emphasizing the need for significant investment to overhaul the critical stretch of the highway.
Despite the challenges, Ssempebwa reassured the public of UNRA’s commitment to ensuring safer roads, urging drivers to remain cautious while navigating the repaired sections.
As the festive season continues, travelers are advised to anticipate delays and plan their journeys accordingly until the repair work is fully completed.
