The Ugandan transport and works ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with the South African transport counterparts, which will enable a sharing of knowledge and experiences between the two agencies to build better road and air and water transport networks in the two African countries. The memorandum of understanding will also facilitate Ugandan civil construction companies to enter joint ventures with South African ones to improve the transport network in the two countries.Speaking at the memorandum of understanding’s signing ceremony at the Foreign Affairs ministry in Kampala, works minister Eng. John Byabagambi said: “this MoU is very special. We shall have working committees (from the two countries) sit biannually to discuss how best we can solve the challenges of traffic to create better transport systems.”“There is a lot Uganda can learn from South Africa. For instance, from their electronic tolling system (where persons have to pay to access certain roads). And, there is a lot they can learn from us. Like our solar-powered bus innovation,” the works minister said.  Read more

The Ministry of Works and Transport has warned cargo transporters against abusing roads by overloading vehicles, leading to breakdown of roads. The warning follows complaints from cargo transport operators that the Entebbe expressway under construction was so low, which could inconvenience transporters where the flyover crosses existing roads.Some cargo transporters using Kampala-Masaka road complained that the height of the expressway was insufficient to accommodate their vehicles. The 51km expressway is meant to ease traffic on the Kampala-Entebbe stretch although users will be expected to pay road toll. According to the ministry, the newly-constructed bridges on the express highway can accommodate any permissible load on any cargo truck.Eng. Dennis Sabiiti, the commissioner for transport regulations in the Ministry of Works, said the maximum overall height of any motor vehicle on Ugandan roads is four metres from the road surface. Read more

The Chinese Transport Ministry has written to Ministry of Works and Transport of Uganda endorsing China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) as a company with strong capability and 30-year international operation experience to implement the railway project in Uganda, Chimp Corps report.According to the agreement, CHEC will work closely with the UPDF Engineering Brigade and also construct a polytechnic school in Uganda for continuous training of army officers in technical and engineering skills.A statement issued by CHEC’s representatives also expressed commitment to the above MoU singling out that the Government of South Sudan has also selected the company to upgrade her railway line. Chimpreports understands government preferred working with CHEC because of their commitment to train UPDF according to the Chinese model to manage strategic infrastructure.Read more

 MOWT: Hoima-Tonya road to be ready by July

Government has been assured that the Hoima-Kaiso-Tonya road, the first major road project in the oil region to support the oil production process, will be complete and ready for hand-over in July.According to EMr Abraham Byandala, the Transport minister, the Shs360 billion-road is a unique project and the first major road project being implemented with full financing from government of Uganda to enable oil production in the country.“This road is important to us in two aspects; it is opening the Albertine region for production of oil. Secondly, it is fully funded by government of Uganda and it is going to stimulate economic activity in this region,” Mr Byandala told journalists.He added that with the quality of the works, the road is expected to have a minimum lifespan of 20 years like the rest of the national roads. The Uganda National Roads Authority is this year enforcing the axle load control for trucks to safeguard investment on roads to prolong their life span, the minister said. Read more

Ministry of Works andTransport yesterday authorised a second private company -Safe Havens Uganda Limited, to use the Nakiwogo route in Entebbe to Lutoboka, Buggala Islands in Kalangala District ferry people and property as MV Kalangala remains grounded undergoing repairs in Mwanza, Tanzania.The company manager, Mr David Maseli, told the Daily Monitor that the ministry gave them a go ahead to bring FB Mugendi ferry to work hand in hand with MV Amani and to keep alternating until MV Kalangala returns.“Earthwise has been doing well but people with vehicles and heavy cargo have been suffering and we have come to bridge the gap,” he said in an interview with the Daily Monitor. Read more

The Government is looking for a competent company to manage and operate Marine Vessel (MV) Kalangala. The vessel which plies Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe and Lutoboka in Kalangala, was assembled in 2005 as fulfilment of President Museveni’s pledge to the people of Kalangala for eased water transport and connectivity to the mainland. It was initially managed by M/S Mulowooza and Brothers between 2006 and 2010 but when the three-year contract expired, the works and transport ministry took over its management to date.The vessel is currently in Mwanza, Tanzania where it is undergoing the annual repairs to meet the international maritime safety requirements. Susan Kataike, the works and transport ministry spokesperson said the procurement process for the private operator for the vessel is ongoing. Read more

Kalangala Infrastructure Services Ltd (KIS), the company contracted to develop infrastructure in Kalangala laid a foundation for the first solar power plant in Sub-Saharan Africa at Bukuzindu, Mugoye sub-county, Kalangala district. The event was officiated by the minister for Works and Transport Hon. Abraham Byandala, who represented the Vice President and Guest of Honourable Edward Ssekandi.   Byandala explained that the Partnership that the Government of Uganda and KIS are engaged in is a speedy, efficient and cost effective delivery of projects. Read more