By Diana Kintu
A modern traffic management centre was officially opened in Kampala City on Tuesday morning, September 3, 2025, according to a statement from the KCCA Communications Office.
The facility, built at a cost of 47 billion Ugandan shillings, is the first of its kind in East Africa. The Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Takuya Sasayama, presided over the opening at 10:20 a.m.
The centre monitors traffic in real time through cameras installed at 30 major intersections across the city. This allows traffic managers to quickly identify congestion and adjust traffic lights to ease flow, reducing the long hours motorists spend in jams.
State Minister for Kampala, Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, said the project offers a lasting solution to the city’s transport challenges, improving air quality and easing movement.
The initiative was supported by the Government of Japan through JICA. Ambassador Sasayama expressed his satisfaction with the project’s completion and hoped it would enhance police operations.
KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki described the development as a major step toward transforming Kampala into a smart city that leverages technology to improve daily life. She emphasised that the system will also support police in managing road traffic.
To mark the occasion, leaders planted trees at City Hall as a symbol of their commitment to a greener, more sustainable Kampala.