The Kampala Northern Bypass Highway, often referred to as the Northern Bypass, is a road in Uganda. It forms a semicircle across the northern suburbs of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The road was constructed to relieve traffic congestion within the city center, allowing cross-country traffic to bypass the city's downtown area.
Location
The bypass stretches from Namboole, approximately to the east of downtown Kampala. The highway winds through the suburbs of Naalya, Kiwaatule, Kulambiro, Kigoowa, Bukoto, Mulago, Makerere, Bwaise, Kawaala, and Namungoona, to end at Busega, approximately west of the city. The highway measures approximately in length. The coordinates of the road at its northernmost point are.
Overview
The bypass opened to traffic on 1 October 2009. Constructed between 2004 and 2009, the bypass is about long. The project was funded by the European Union and the Uganda government.
Expansion
In August 2012, Ugandan print media reported that expansion of the bypass to dual carriageway for its entire length would begin in early 2013. Funding for the expansion is being provided by the European Investment Bank, the European Union, and the Ugandan government. In May 2014, the Uganda National Roads Authority awarded the construction contract for the expansion to Mota-Engil, Engenharia E Construcao SA, a subsidiary of the Mota-Engil civil engineering and construction conglomerate based in Portugal. Construction was expected to start in June 2014 and last 30 months. In October 2014, Ugandan print media reported that the construction start was postponed to the end of 2014 and would last approximately 30 months. On 23 February 2015, the widening of the bypass was officially launched. Construction costs are budgeted at €67.4 million. The breakdown of the funding sources is in the table below:
Rank
Development Partner
Contribution in Euros
Percentage
Notes
1
European Union
37.0 million
54.90
Grant
2
European Investment Bank
15.0 million
22.25
Loan
3
Government of Uganda
15.4 million
22.85
Investment
Total
67.4 million
100.00
As of December 2018, an estimated 51 percent of the work had been completed, with completion planned in 2021. Six interchanges are planned to replace existing roundabouts at Sentema Road Hoima Road Gayaza Road Bukoto/Kyebando Ntinda/Kisaasi and at Naalya. As of March 2020, with an estimated 70 percent of the expansion completed, completion was still planned for the 4th quarter of 2021. Te delays were blamed on protracted land acquisition processes, changes in road design and increased scope of work.
