Analyzing the factors that aggravate traffic congestion in

Kampala, Uganda and potential solutions

By
OYUKU Ceasar

Supervisor
Professor Minwook Lee.

12/5/2023
Contents
 Background
 Problem statement
 Aim and objectives
Research questions
Significance
Methodology
Findings and results
Limitations

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Background

• Kampala is the capital and largest city in Uganda, located in the central
region of the country. With a population of over 1.5 million people,
Kampala is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. However, the rapid
growth of the city has led to significant traffic congestion
• Roads in Kampala accounts for 90% of the modes of transportation in the
city as opposed to rail and water.
• Public transport in Kampala is predominated by 14-seater matatus with a
population of 17,203 and boda-boda (bicycle and motorcycle taxis)
whose actual population is yet to be registered but in the past increased
from 15,779 in 2007 to 405,124 in 2014.

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Background

Kampala Area: 970 square kilometers

No. of streets: 7500
Main junctions:
Clock tower, Nakawa, Kibuye roundabout,
Bwaise and Wandegeya
Main road veins
Jinja rd, Masaka, Wakiso, Mukono, Bombo
and Entebbe
Human Popn: 2.7m
Man hour lost: 24,000hours
Vehicle hours lost: 26,000hours
GDP: $8.5billion
Vehicle Popn: 748,037 registered vehicles
Average speed: 25.9km/h

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Mini bus stations at the heart of city

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 Problem statements
• GHG Emissions from vehicles-
transportation accounts for about 14% and
72% from road transportation
• Air pollution- UN report estimate about
7million premature death every year.
• Vehicle crashes- contribute to waste-
vehicle debris, medical waste, hazardous
material, clean up material-estimated
about 2.2 million tons per year-UNEP
report
• Time wastage-leading to fuel consumption
• GDP Lost-due to reduced productivity

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 Problem statements

According to Lopez (2016), identifying genuine solutions to a problem

means knowing what the real causes of the problem are. Lopez adds that
taking actions without identifying what factors contributes to the problem
can results in misdirected efforts and wastage of time and resources.

Therefore, analyzing the factors that aggravate traffic congestion in

Kampala, Uganda and potential solutions will lead to genuine solution

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Aims and objectives
• Aim
• To analyze factors that aggravate traffic congestion in Kampala city, Uganda and its
potential solutions as a tool for policy making.

• Objectives
1. To examine the road users views on the causes ,effects and possible solutions of road
traffic congestion
2. To determine the traffic flow at main Kampala city routes
3. To analyze and propose improvement strategy to traffic congestion

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Research Questions

1. What are the road users views on the causes and effects of road traffic congestion within
Kampala city?

2. How does traffic flow at main routes of Kampala leads to traffic congestion?

3. What could be the possible improvement strategies to traffic congestion?

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SIGNIFICANCE
The findings of this research will provide
independent information that will greatly guide
city planners, policy makers and enforcement
bodies in designing, deciding on proper policies
and enforcement strategies.

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Methodology

• Sample size and sampling technique

• Data collection • 250 respondent from 5 major categories-
• Literature review- journals, articles, books, Using multistage sampling procedure
government reports, dissertations and • Survey instruments
presentations • Data will be obtained using Likert-type
• Road users views scale
• Traffic flow survey • Trained Manuel counters

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Objective1.
Question 1. On the options below what are your ratings on Causes of traffic congestion in Kampala city, Uganda?

  Strongly agree neutral disagree Strongly

causes agree degree

Activities of traders / street hawkers          

Indiscriminate parking on roads sides          

Absence of traffic officers at junctions          

Bad drivers’ attitude.          

Lack of parking space          

Bad Road width          

Social events          

High volume of traffic at peak hours          

Narrow Road width          

Disregards for road regulation          

Poor weather condition          

Passenger’s scouting by taxis/buses          

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Question 2. Effects of traffic congestion

  Strongly agree neutral disagree Strongly

Effects Agree disagree

1. Lead to loss of productivity          

2. Time loss (travel time)          

3. Contribution to air pollution/ environmental impact          

4. Increase frequency and characteristic of traffic crashes/          

accidents
5. Increase noise nuisance          

6. Lead to relocation of homes and business          

7. Increased vehicle operating costs          

8. Increased stress and frustration          

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Question 3. What are some of the possible solutions according to your view?

  Strongly agree agree neutral agree Strongly

Possible solutions disagree
Traffic regulation          

Construction of bus stops          

Repairs of main service roads          

Construction of commercial parks          

Service and commercial distribution          

Ban of display of goods on road edges by traders          

Regular and mandatory training of commercial trans-          

port service providers

Investing in technology          

Implementing congestion pricing          

Encouraging alternatives transportation modes          

Improving public transportation          

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Objective 2. Traffic flow forms

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Objective 3: Proposed improvement strategy framework
Policy streams Short team strategies
.
Infrastructure  

Traffic management  

Service quality  

Network development  

  Medium term measures

Infrastructure  

Traffic management  

Service quality  

Network development  

  Long-term institutional change

Infrastructure  

Traffic management  

Service quality  

Network development  
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 Data analysis
Data will be analyzed using relative importance index (RII)

• Using mathematical formular

RII= /A*N
W=Weighting given for each factor by the respondent (ranging from 1-5)
A: The highest weight in the research
N: Total number of respondent

2. Spreadsheets (Microsoft excel)

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 Data analysis Respondent scores form
1 2 3 4 5
Factor groups Very low Low Moderate high Very high RII Ranks

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 Findings and results

• Will be based on the questionnaire results from respondents,

data will be analyzed and value of RII is used for ranking all
factors.

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Limitations

1. Sample size
2. Fundings constraint
3. Time constraint
4. Implementation of data collection methods

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Ethical consideration and next step

1.Ethical consideration
• Administrative clearance from Kampala city authority and police
• Informed consent will be sough from the study participant
• All traffic rules will be adhered to during the course of data collection

2. Next step
• Ethical approvals,
• Data collection
• Report writing.

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 Thanks for
Listening

Contact: INU-KOICA CTP

Incheon National University
climate@inu.ac.kr