City drivers confused by the Fairway junction

The newly constructed Fair Way junction along Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala has left road users puzzled on which lanes to use.

Constructed by China Railway Seventh Group Company Ltd to ease traffic congestion along Yusuf Lule road during peak hours, the junction has over eight separate crossing lanes, unsupported by traffic lights and road marks leaving users confused.

Uganda Radio Network-URN visited the new junction and our reporter observed lack of confidence among drivers, confusion and guessing as they made turns at the new junction.

"Am giving up on using that road because it's now confusing and has turned into a learning point and death trap...cars are coming from everywhere", said Abubaker Lubowa a driver.

Robert Kamoga, a boda boda cyclist told URN that the new junction is confusing to drivers since it is not clear who has right of way.  He cited a need for the road to be marked and the traffic lights installed.

One of the drivers who preferred anonymity said she had totally failed to understand the traffic direction at the new junction even after using the road regularly.

Dicta Asiimwe, a regular driver said that she guesses her way through at the new junction and sometimes follows other drivers.

Twaha Kizito, a driver said that the new junction looks beautiful but confusing for a driver. He said that currently drivers are committing traffic offences out of ignorance of the new design.

A traffic officer stationed at the new junction who preferred anonymity told URN that the turnings are very many and if traffic lights are installed, they will direct drivers better. In the absence of traffic lights, he says, road markings should be put immediately.

"Putting road signs will assist these drivers because currently they make wrong turns. And when you get such a person he tells you-'afande' am confused and I don't know where to pass," said the traffic officer.

The 175 million Dollars World Bank project seeks to implement the second Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP2).

The project is aimed at enhancing the infrastructure and institutional capacity of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) so as to improve urban mobility in Kampala.

The roads and junction works under the project are dualling of Makerere Hill, Bakuli-Nankulabye-Kasubi and Kiira roads.

According to the KCCA website, the fairway junction works involve signalisation and installation of traffic lights. The other road works under the project are at Kabira and Bwaise junction including the reconstruction and widening of Mambule road.

-URN