Going to the east? Here is how to avoid jam

Through Kayunga, one can connect to Kamuli via the Nile on a ferry. The Mbulamuti ferry connects Kamuli and Kayunga districts. The ferry operates from Monday to Sunday. ROADS UNRA

The festive season is finally here. As a norm, urban dwellers are expected to travel upcountry to celebrate with there loved ones.

This, coupled with the heavy rains, usually leads to traffic jam. Several major roads like the Kampala-Jinja highway are usually congested, with pedestrians, motorists and even truck drivers all fighting for space.

New Vision brings you alternative routes you can use to avoid traffic on Jinja Road to Busoga, Bugisu and Samia. Heading out of the city to eastern Uganda, save yourself from stress and give the Nakawa-Mukono-Lugazi stretch along Kampala- Jinja highway a break.

Allan Ssempebwa, the media relations manager at Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), says there are about five routes one can use to connect to Busoga region without using Jinja Road.

The alternative routes, he says, will save people from traffic snags during this festive season.

Alternative routes

The alternative routes include Mukono-Katosi-Nkokonjeru- Nyenga-Jinja road, Mukono- Kiyunga-Kalagi-Kayunga- Kangulumira-Njeru-Jinja road and Kira-Kalagi-Kayunga-Njeru-Jinja road. One can also use the Jokers- Namanve-Mukono-Katosi- Nkokonjeru-Nyenga-Jinja road, Kasangati-Gayaza-Kayunga-Njeru- Jinja.

The Uganda Journal of Management and Public Policy Studies (2017) by Uganda Management Institute (UMI) highlighted that travellers in Kampala loose between eight and 23 hours every month in the traffic jam. However, this estimate is surpassed during the festive season.

The survey further stressed that speed reduces from an average of 28km/h when there is no jam to between eight and 14km/h because of traffic jam. The survey also reflected in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to a tune of sh55b from sh163b per year due to lost productive time while stuck in congestion. The survey conducted by Dan Mambule Mwanje, a researcher at UMI, indicated that the major cost of the traffic jam is wasted fuel due to idling and slow speed. Traffic congestion on Jinja Road
Kampala to Jinja
All the above roads would lead travellers to Jinja through the new Nile Bridge. Apart from the Jokers- Namanve road section and Kira- Kalagi section, the rest of the road is tarmacked. According to UNRA mapping, the roads which are not tarmacked are murram but in good condition and are free of traffic.Ssempebwa also noted that all of them have utility services such as fuel stations, restaurants and health […]

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