Govt to penalise road contractors over delays

The government has launched a review of contracts awarded to underperforming contractors under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme (GKMA-UDP), citing persistent delays in the implementation of the multi-billion-shilling infrastructure project.

The State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, Mr Kabuye Kyofatogabye, said some contractors had failed to meet agreed timelines despite the programme operating under strict implementation schedules. Speaking to the Daily Monitor yesterday, Mr Kyofatogabye said while several local and international firms had delivered work on time and to the required standards, others were lagging behind and risked sanctions, including possible contract reviews.

“Contractors such as China First Highway Engineering Company, which is handling roads in the Lubugumu-Busabala area, have delivered on time and even exceeded expectations. However, we still have some contractors who are behind schedule,” he said. China First Highway Engineering Company is among the firms contracted to undertake road works under the World Bank-funded GKMA-UDP project. In February last year, the government signed a Shs60 billion contract with the Chinese firm to construct four roads in Makindye Ssabagabo and Entebbe Municipalities under Lot One of the programme. Mr Kyofatogabye said the government would not tolerate delays caused by contractors who exploit social and environmental challenges as excuses to seek unnecessary extensions of project timelines.

“Some contractors lie in their bid documents when they do not actually have the capacity to execute the work,” he said. “There is a contractor I know who secured a contract but could not even deploy the minimum required equipment such as a tractor, bulldozer and truck. Submitting a bid document is one thing, but delivering the work is another,” he added. The minister said government appreciated contractors who had fulfilled their obligations, but warned that action would be taken against those that continue to underperform. “For those contractors who have delivered, we are grateful and happy. But for those still lagging behind, we are reviewing their contracts,” he said.

The remarks come at a time when construction works are ongoing across several parts of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area under the GKMA-UDP programme, which was officially launched in September 2024. According to Mr Kyofatogabye, the programme has so far attained 45 percent progress based on the number of contracts awarded and works underway. Mr Liu Guang, the project manager for China First Highway Engineering Company, said works under the Makindye Ssabagabo road project were progressing steadily and remained on schedule. “The project will improve local transportation conditions, ease movement for residents, strengthen the transport network around Kampala and support sustainable economic development in the area,” he said.

Background

Under GKMA-UDP, government plans to design and construct 440.19 kilometres of roads, 19 markets, two slaughter facilities and 54.5 kilometres of storm-water drainage systems across Kampala and neighbouring districts and municipalities.The beneficiary areas include Kampala City, Kira Municipality, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, Entebbe Municipality, Mukono Municipality, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, Mpigi District and Mukono District.