infrastructure 27 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Taxpayers Foot Bill for Delays in Key Northern Uganda Road Project
The Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga road project, vital for connecting western and northern Uganda, has suffered over eight months of delays due to administrative hurdles and site issues, forcing taxpayers to cover claims for idle equipment and interest. Officials are introducing reforms to prevent future cost overruns and ensure smoother execution. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/road-project-delay-costs-now-a-taxpayer-burden-5404664
The 191km Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga road, a Class C gravel upgrade spanning six districts from Kiryandongo to Pader, aims to enhance connectivity, cut travel times, and spur trade in northern Uganda. Funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Ugandan government, it kicked off in December 2020 with a 36-month timeline but has lagged due to administrative snags and site preparation problems.
Divided into two lots—Lot 1 (90.9km, Shs337.5 billion by Sadeem Al-Kuwait) and Lot 2 (100.1km, Shs416.3 billion by Gulsan Construction)—the project shows satisfactory current progress despite setbacks. An on-site check on March 23, 2026, highlighted issues like delayed site access, incomplete right-of-way handovers, and heavy rains hampering earthworks.
These delays have cost over eight months, with contractors claiming payments for idle equipment and interest, turning into ‘nugatory expenditure’ with no physical output, according to Works and Transport Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya. Cash flow woes stem from scattered work sections, preventing full Interim Payment Certificates.
Bageya stressed the need for full preliminary preparations—like securing rights-of-way, relocating utilities, and demolitions—before handover. He noted contractors idled for over three months initially, wasting public funds.
Reforms include a presidential directive for pre-project land acquisition, a ‘design once’ policy to curb addendums, dedicated project coordinators per donor, and better initial designs to avoid quantity changes. The ministry plans to boost internal supervision capacity.
Lands Ministry’s Stella Nakimbugwe assured funding for remaining land pockets next quarter to clear hurdles.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)