The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is set to start forceful eviction of road encroachers; starting with those on Entebbe road.
According to John B Ssejemba, the Head of Enforcement at UNRA, the exercise will first cover Entebbe road from Kibuye Round about to Entebbe Airport after which, it will be rolled out to other national roads including those in the Kampala Metropolitan.
Ssejemba said that since 2015 the Authority has been involved in engagements with road encroachers along all national roads across the encouraging them to vacate voluntarily.
“Some encroachers have vacated on their own while others still continue to operate from the road reserves, road shoulders and in some cases driveways especially the market vendors. This has continued to create congestion and traffic jams along these roads. In some areas, lives have been lost,” he said.
Ssejemba was Thursday addressing the journalists at UNRA headquarters in Nakawa.
He said the exercise is meant to protect the safety of the encroachers themselves, the road users and for easing the flow of traffic.
The exercise will affect numerous structures including permanent ones like metal kiosks, small markets that operate early morning, during the day and at night.
Others include evening bars, taxi and special hire stages, fruit vending vans, flower vending businesses, vehicle parking, and vehicle washing facilities, boda boda stages, and ancillary facilities among others.
“It is also proposed that we consider abolishing parking along Entebbe road especially parking on shoulders. This will greatly reduce traffic congestion.” he said.
“This will be a 24hour exercise we want the vendors to be around as the eviction takes place. We also advise the market vendors to use the facility at Usafi Market for its still empty.”
The exercise will be carried out by UNRA enforcement team, Kampala Capital City Authority enforcement team and the Kampala Metropolitan police.