Govt pays contractors, road works resume

________________

A road construction contractors who had put down tools over unpaid dues have returned to sites, resuming normal work.

The Government recently effected payments to contractors for completed works, enabling them to continue with stalled road projects.

Over the past three years, Ugandans have expressed growing concern over the deteriorating state of roads in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, which contributes more than 60% of the country’s revenue collections.

Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, revealed that the Government owed various road contractors sh1.6 trillion, a delay that forced many to halt works.

“All contractors are now back on sites, and works are progressing normally,” Gen. Katumba said.

Last Wednesday, the minister, accompanied by technical officials from the ministry, launched an inspection drive of ongoing road projects that had been affected by delayed payments and issues with acquiring land.

Among the roads inspected was the 11km Busaabala Road, where the contractor, China State Construction Corporation, was instructed to complete the project within the revised timeframe.

The sh258.8b Najjanankumbi-Busaabala upgrade, converting the road from gravel to tarmac, began in 2021 and was originally scheduled for completion in 2024.

The completion date was later revised to March this year due to delays. The Government owed the contractor sh19b for completed works.

“Although the project is behind schedule by over 50%, there has been significant progress. Out of the total 11km, 8 km have been completed,” the minister said.

The projects

The Busaabala project spans Kampala and Wakiso districts and includes construction of the 1km Namasole Link and signal along Namasole and Salaama roads, as well as junction improvements. It also involves a vehicular overpass, two pedestrian bridges along Munyonyo Spur, a single-point urban interchange at Kigo, 17km of service gravel roads, and installation of streetlights along the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway and Munyonyo Spur.

Katumba appealed to residents to be patient, noting that delayed payments and challenges in acquiring the full right of way had slowed progress.

He added that some residents along Busaabala Road, who initially consented to giving land for development, later withdrew, blocking contractors. Others who had been compensated refused to vacate for nearly a year.

“Land acquisition for road infrastructure development is increasingly becoming a challenge for the Government,” he said.

Other roads inspected include Nakawuka-Kasenje-Mpigi, Nakawuka-Mawaggulu, and Nanzinga-Maya-Kasenje Buwaya-Entebbe Nakwogo, all contracted to China Communication Construction Company (CCCC).

The 100km Mubende Mityana township roads by Energo Project and the Kawuku Bwerenga-Bugiri road by CCCC were also reviewed.