President Yoweri Museveni has called on the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to step up efforts in working closely with the public to maintain key infrastructure, such as the newly completed Kampala Flyover.
He said this during the commissioning of the Kampala Flyover project.
Speaking out on the importance of collective responsibility, Museveni stressed that it’s high time every Kampala resident played their part in keeping the city clean.
“KCCA, the group in charge of maintaining this and other city projects, work well with the public. It’s important to get everyone involved in keeping the city clean and stopping bad habits like throwing trash and littering the city, which blocks the drainage system. I congratulate Ugandans on this milestone.” he said
The president also congratulated Ugandans on the successful completion of the flyover, describing it as a major achievement that will enhance urban mobility and drive development forward.
President Museveni has asked the Japanese government and investors to go beyond exporting goods to Uganda and establish local manufacturing plants to create jobs and drive economic growth.
He recalled Uganda’s long history with Japan, from the early post-independence era when the country started importing Japanese textiles and vehicles to the present day, where Uganda remains a major consumer of Japanese products.
“For decades, Uganda and Africa have supported Japan’s economy through the purchase of vehicles and other goods. It is time Japan reciprocated by establishing production facilities here,” Museveni stated.
The President highlighted Africa’s increasing economic potential, noting that the continent’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion in the next 30 years, making it a crucial market for global industries.
“A quarter of the world’s population will be African. This is the future. We invite Japan to invest in production, not just trade, and benefit from this expanding market,” he urged.
Japanese Ambassador Takuya Sasayama reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to Uganda, pointing out that beyond financing major infrastructure projects like: the Nile Bridge, Atiak-Nimule Road
the Kampala Flyover and the Karuma Bridge (Upcoming Project).
Japan has also trained over 110 Ugandan engineers as part of its long-term investment in Uganda’s human capital.
“We are not just building infrastructure; we are sharing knowledge and ensuring sustainability through skills development,” Ambassador Sasayama stated.
The ambassador also urged Ugandans to adhere to traffic regulations, cautioning that new roads often lead to increased speeding.
“A better road should not mean reckless driving. Safety measures must be observed,” he advised.
Museveni emphasized that Africa is ready for deeper economic engagement with Japan, beyond traditional aid and infrastructure projects.
“We appreciate Japan’s support, but we encourage them to manufacture here in Uganda, sell within Africa, and even export globally,” he concluded.
