Motorists using the busy Nateete–Nakawuka Road corridor in Kampala are set to face major traffic disruptions after the Ministry of Works and Transport announced a temporary closure of part of the road to pave way for drainage construction works.
In a public notice dated May 13, 2026, the ministry said the affected section around Nateete will be closed effective May 15, 2026, for approximately three months.
According to the notice signed by Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa, the closure will affect the stretch running from the Mutundwe Road junction to the Old Masaka Road junction.
The ministry explained that the temporary shutdown is necessary to allow the construction of drainage culverts under the ongoing road upgrade project.
“The works are intended to improve drainage, reduce flooding, and enhance road durability,” the notice stated.
The development is expected to significantly affect daily commuters and transport operators who rely on the Nateete–Nakawuka route, one of the key access roads linking Kampala to Wakiso District and surrounding areas.
Authorities have advised motorists to use alternative routes during the construction period. The suggested diversions include Old Masaka Road, Masaka Road, and Entebbe Road through Kajjansi, as well as the Mutundwe and Wankulukuku connections.
Traffic congestion is expected to intensify along the alternative routes, especially during peak hours, as thousands of motorists adjust to the temporary changes.
Road users have also been urged to strictly follow traffic guidance and directional signage that will be installed around the affected areas to ease movement and avoid accidents.
The Nateete–Nakawuka road upgrade project has been one of the government’s major infrastructure interventions aimed at improving connectivity and easing transport challenges in the greater Kampala metropolitan area.
Residents and motorists have for years complained about severe flooding and deteriorating road conditions along sections of the road, especially during heavy rains, with drainage challenges frequently causing traffic paralysis.
The latest drainage works are expected to address some of the longstanding flooding problems that have repeatedly damaged the road surface and disrupted transport in the area.
However, the closure is likely to test the patience of commuters already grappling with heavy traffic congestion across Kampala and its suburbs.
Taxi operators and boda boda riders operating along the route are also expected to feel the impact, with longer diversions likely to increase transport costs and travel time for passengers.
The Ministry of Works and Transport said the inconvenience caused during the construction period is regrettable but necessary to ensure long-term improvements to the road infrastructure.
Motorists are now bracing for what could become one of the city’s major traffic headaches over the next three months as works get underway on the crucial road section.
