The day we stop building Kampala backwards

What the report says

The Observer published a viewpoint arguing that Kampala’s traffic problems are rooted less in a lack of roads than in poor city design and neglected infrastructure. The writer says long congestion, potholes and damaged tarmac are linked to deteriorating roads, open drains and an outdated sewerage and drainage system that was designed decades ago for a much smaller city.

The column urges city managers to shift from adding more asphalt to reorganizing existing roads. It recommends covering open stormwater drains, reclaiming roadside space without buying new land, and upgrading current routes instead of opening new ones. The author also argues that Kampala should use local engineering expertise rather than rely on foreign consultants for such work.

A separate part of the piece criticizes the planting of palm trees in the city centre and proposes fruit trees along major roads instead, saying they would add practical value as well as greenery. The argument is framed as a call for planning that serves residents, pedestrians, boda boda riders and drivers, and treats Kampala as a capital with long-term stakes rather than a temporary stopover.

The article is opinion rather than a news report, but it reflects a broader urban planning debate in African cities about drainage, road maintenance and pedestrian safety. The central message is that Kampala needs smarter redesign, not just more expansion.