UNRA contracts South African Company EGIS Road Operation to undertake Operation & Maintenance along the Kampala Expressway

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has contracted M/S EGIS Road Operation S.A to undertake the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services along the Kampala—Entebbe Expressway.

According to a statement from UNRA, they handed over the site/expressway to Egis on 24th May, 2021 to commence operation and maintenance services with the objective of providing high quality road management services along the Expressway enabling value added services to the users of the toll road.

“Accordingly, in the first 06 months, the firm will provide road safety facilities, expressway lighting, security services, axle-load control/monitoring system, routine road maintenance and emergency maintenance works to ensure an appropriate level of service excellence along the expressway to the benefit of its users, at all times” the statement reads.

In a bid to boost local content implementation, the contractor has committed to sub-contract 30% of its operations to local companies and has mobilized local partners like Pinnacle Security Limited and Abubaker Technical Services. The company has further submitted a plan to increase the percentage of operations to local contractors.

Meanwhile, Pinnacle Security has been contracted to patrol the Expressway on a 24/7 basis, to ensure safety interventions in case of accidents and to assist motorists in case of breakdowns. On stand-by are dedicated intervention vehicles including a fire truck, an ambulance and towing services.

UNRA adds that to reduce road traffic accidents, Egis will undertake to provide several safety improvements like rumble strips before the toll plazas for speed control, and additional traffic signs at accident-prone points including improvements in the drainage system to avoid water puddles.

The installation of new fencing along the entire expressway has been initiated to replace what was vandalized. Additionally, the installation of lighting along the entire route will also be carried out in accordance with the contracted timeframe.

On the issue of toll collection, UNRA says developments are underway to install the electrical infrastructure to ensure system functionality before the tolling operations.

“Commencement of the tolling operations and the rates to be paid by the different road users shall be communicated to the general public after clearance from the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.”