Kampala City Authority To Install Smart Poles

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on Thursday partnered with ATC Uganda, a provider of radio communication services, to install at least 50 smart poles across the city this year

The smart poles will be equipped with LED lights and telecom infrastructure for connectivity and will mark a futuristic upgrade of street infrastructure in Kampala.

Dorothy Kisaka, KCCA executive director, said they discussed plans to increase connected street lighting fully fitted with Internet connectivity.

“Our valued partner ATC Uganda is lighting up the capital city using smart poles, which are a multi-purpose vehicle that will host infrastructure for faster connectivity and promote ease of doing business in the city,” she said.

She applauded ATC Uganda for this initiative and welcomed this smart poles approach to urban planning.

“Our goal is to create an appreciation of the interconnectivity between the core pillars of a smart city through technology and infrastructure development”, she added.

ATC Uganda Public Affairs Manager, Charles Nsamba, said the introduction of smart poles signifies that the city is developing and adapting to the world of technology and supporting all hi-technology innovations efficiently and without limitation.

“With the city space getting smaller and the population increasing, we need infrastructure sharing and smart poles to help us actualize that,” Nsamba said.

Some smart poles have been installed in areas of downtown Kampala, Luwum Street, Kololo and Nakasero, which has eased connectivity for street traders.

Nsamba allayed fears regarding electromagnetic rays, saying the smart poles have no harm to the human body despite having telecom infrastructure.

Nsamba said the smart city is an operations strategy to include every stakeholder, in what KCCA is doing in the city beautification campaign and to awaken a collective consciousness of what they all aspire for.