Greening Urban Transport in Secondary Cities in Uganda: Challenges and New Strategies for Adoption

Abstract

Secondary cities in Uganda are experiencing both rapid urbanization and urban population growth with associated negative externalities key among which is the urban transport challenge. The rapid increase in levels of motorization in the form of private cars and motorized two-wheelers (mostly motorcycle boda-bodas) impacts on the accessibility of green, non-motorized transport such as walking and cycling. Taking the case of Gulu city in Northern Uganda, this paper explores the impact of increasing motorization on the accessibility of non-motorized transport and identifies new strategies for the adoption. Using systematic document review and analysis, it was discovered that increasing motorization negatively impacts accessibility of green and active transport modes. Attitude toward Non-motorized transport (NMT), inadequacy, quality and encroachment on NMT mode infrastructure are identified to be the most pressing challenges to the adoption of green transport in Gulu city. It also acknowledges efforts towards green transport infrastructure provision under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) World Bank project, albeit with persistent challenges in maintenance and encroachment by motorized transport. It is recommended that greening urban transport in secondary cities in Uganda be promoted by building well-planned and designed green transport infrastructure as described in the draft National NMT policy 2012. It’s imperative that maintenance of this infrastructure and sensitization of the masses is prioritized in city urban transport budgets and that the requisite infrastructure is protected against encroachment by motorized modes. Besides, urban transport planning policies and practices in secondary cities should look at the entire green transport pyramid and begin to incorporate other modes, such as public buses as a way of promoting green transport alternatives.