Uganda constitutes a “land bridge” in the Great Lakes region, connecting landlocked countries with coastal countries. Roadways are of great importance in the country, both for local communities and for neighbouring countries, as the road network transports 95% of freight traffic and 99% of passenger traffic. The road corridor rehabilitation project between Moyo, Yumbe and Koboko will encourage greater regional integration through trade with the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, reduce travel times, and create employment for young people and women.
Uganda is home to 1.5 million refugees, the largest number on the African continent and in the world. The road corridor runs through one of the largest refugee-populated areas in the country, who are mainly from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nearby are the Bidibidi refugee camp, the most populous in Africa, the Lobule refugee camp and the Palorinya refugee settlement, which house more than 360,000 people in total. The rapid increase in heavy vehicles that supply these settlements is causing severe deterioration to the route, making it impassable, especially during rainy seasons.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has commissioned TYPSA with the consultancy services for carrying out technical audits of the implementation of this project, consisting of the rehabilitation and improvement of a 105km long route, with a 7m wide road that winds through undulating terrain and crosses 4 main rivers, including the conservation of 3 existing bridges and the construction of a new bridge.
Consulting services consist of carrying out integrated technical audits and monitoring of project performance in accordance with contractual conditions, covering, among others, engineering design, management of social and environmental problems, timelines and funding, and quality assurance, critically evaluating progress, the effectiveness and quality in the implementation of the project. The reports produced will provide UNRA, the Government of Uganda and the World Bank with recommendations for the correct implementation of the project.
The main features of the project are as follows:
- Renovation and extension of the existing road. Improvement of surfaces from gravel to bituminous, renewal of transverse and longitudinal drainage.
- Diagnosis and institutional strengthening.
- Improve road safety, including awareness campaigns.
- Provision of resources for immediate response in case of emergencies.
