Managing Road Reserves in Uganda: A case of Kampala District

Abstract

The study set out to assess and appraise the management of road reserves in Uganda with particular emphasis on Kampala District to identify the existing strengths, weaknesses and how best to address the shortcomings. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; To assess the levels of awareness of the population on laws governing road reserves; To examine the mechanism used by road management authorities in protecting and controlling road reserves in Kampala District to establish strategies that could be implemented to enhance the management and protection of road reserves in Kampala District A case study design was adopted by the study. UNRA and KCCA staff as well as Local people residing along the selected road stretches took part in the study. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview guide, observation and photography. Data were analyzed using quantitative (frequency/percentages and mean) and qualitative (narrative text and verbatim quotations) means. Study findings revealed that most people living along the selected road stretches had limited knowledge about road reserves. The findings equally showed that efforts to protect road reserves from encroachment were marred with loopholes. For example, the pillars were not evenly distributed and in some cases, they were not maintained and covered by vegetation. The findings further revealed that rigorous sensitization on different media vehicles, collaboration between UNRA/KCCA and the Local Council structures among others could bring about the effectiveness of road reserve conservation. The study concluded that majority of the people in Uganda are not informed about what road reserves are, the limits beyond which they should not carry out any activities as well as any Act that bars human activities in road reserve zones. For example, pillars that mark the zoning of road reserves are conceived to mean the areas reserved by the government for future extension of roads and thus liable to be used by the residents now. The current encroachment on road reserves is largely due to the flaws in the mechanisms used by road authorities to mark the extent of road reserves. Absence of pillars implies that the public relies on intuition to determine the extent of road reserves. The study recommend need for rigorous sensitization, collaboration with zonal leaders, involvement of road users and periodic monitoring of the marks erected in order to improve on the management and protection of road reserves