news 20 June 2026 Nile Post
New Quantity Surveyors Body Launched, Urged to Expose Cost Overruns
Uganda's Ministry of Works and Transport has inaugurated a new professional body for quantity surveyors, emphasizing the need for them to provide honest assessments of project costs and challenge inflated budgets. The Construction and Infrastructure Cost Consultants and Quantity Surveyors of Uganda (CICCQSU) aims to improve accountability and standards in the construction sector. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/350053/surveyors-urged-to-speak-uncomfortable-truths-as-new-professional-body-launches
Quantity surveyors in Uganda are being called upon to be more assertive in reporting on infrastructure project expenses, even when the information is difficult to deliver. This message was central to the launch of the Construction and Infrastructure Cost Consultants and Quantity Surveyors of Uganda (CICCQSU), a new organization established to bolster cost management and professional ethics within the nation’s construction industry.
Representing the Ministry of Works and Transport, Architect Eng Edward Ssimbwa highlighted that despite a significant investment of over Shs25 trillion in infrastructure over the past two decades, public confidence in project value remains low. He urged surveyors to play a more strategic role, ensuring that design choices align with affordability and actively preventing budget blowouts.
The establishment of CICCQSU addresses concerns about a shortage of registered quantity surveyors, with a notable gap between the roughly 150 graduates annually and the approximately 30 who achieve professional registration. The new body’s chairperson, Victor Odongo, stated that CICCQSU will focus on mentorship, skill enhancement, and streamlining the registration process. He also stressed the importance of surveyors adapting to new technologies like AI and the growing complexity of projects, including those in the oil and gas sector.
Furthermore, the association intends to prioritize dispute resolution and contract management, recognizing these as common sources of project delays and increased costs. The launch received support from regional counterparts, with the President of the African Association of Quantity Surveyors, Matthew Ngulube, encouraging the development of local construction cost databases to improve project decision-making.
The formation of CICCQSU is a result of a seven-year reform initiative and aims to eventually secure an independent Quantity Surveyors Bill to better regulate the profession and elevate project delivery standards. The organization plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Works and Transport to enhance financial oversight and ensure better value for public infrastructure investments.
This information is sourced from Nile Post.