Urban Planning and Land Usage in Relations to Roads in Uganda
The Government of Uganda has been primarily focusing its policies towards the
modernization of the country’s economy through the transformation from an agrarian to
an industrial economy. Such transformation requires infrastructure development to be put
in place, as infrastructures such as the transport sector, ultimately stimulate trade,
tourism, mobility and industrial growth in the long term. Today, the road sector plays a
predominant rode in the society, as it is the major mode of transportation in Uganda.
However, the majority of the road network is comprised of dry weather roads, which
causes a major transportation issue during the rainy seasons as the roads become
impassible. In addition the majority of the roads are very narrow, which causes serious
traffic congestions around the most populated areas in the country. As a result, the
activities in various economic sectors, including trade, agriculture, tourism, and social
services are often immobilized during the rainy seasons. Thus, the development of roads
is ultimately crucial for the social and economic growth in Uganda.
Though the significance of road construction and rehabilitation projects are inevitable,
such projects have not been possible due to the poor land usages and urban planning. As
indicated in the recent study by URSSI, Workshop Proceedings Report on Awareness
Raising and Consultation on Uganda’s Roads Act and Access to Roads Act, the majority
of Ugandans are not aware of the two legislations regarding roads, the Access to Roads
Act of 1969 and Roads Act of 1949. The latter legislation states that road reserves are the
access land that is located 30 meters from the centerline of the road, and that any
individual who interferes with the land will be subject to a fine of 1,000 Shillings.
Despite of such laws, the urbanization has been attracting people to encroach and settle
around the roads, as people are not acquainted with such existing laws. Thus, a conflict
between the land usage and road development arises in regards to road construction and
expansion, as settlements and structures are already in place on the land that is
thematically reserved for roads. Though the current roads are in need of further
expansions due to the rapidly growing number of vehicles, such expansions are greatly
hindered by people’s settlements on the road reserves.
From the URSSI recent report, it has been noted by the citizens from Gulu, Kampala,
Masaka, Mbale, and Mbarara that there are great needs to alter the laws regarding roads.
The general consensus by the participants in the workshops was that the Uganda National
Roads Authority should amend the road reserve starting point from 30 meters to 60
meters from the centerline. In addition, it was generally agreed that the road should be
widened by up to 40 meters in order to minimize the number of accidents.