news 10 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Government Halts Shs2.1 Billion Road Payment Over Substandard Work in Kapelebyong
Authorities have stopped a Shs2.1 billion payment to a contractor in Kapelebyong District due to shoddy road construction, including poor drainage and unapproved structures. The decision follows an inspection that revealed significant deviations from project designs and incomplete work. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-halts-shs2-1b-road-payout-over-shoddy-works-in-kapelebyong-5552780
The Head of the RDC Secretariat, Maj. Martha Asiimwe, has ordered an immediate halt to a Shs2.1 billion payout earmarked for a contractor in Kapelebyong District. The directive comes after an inspection revealed severely substandard works on critical government roads.
During a field monitoring visit, Maj. Asiimwe and her team discovered multiple issues, including inadequate drainage systems, incomplete construction, and significant departures from the approved project plans. On the Akulonyo–Acing Road, the team observed a lack of essential offshoots and culverts installed in low-lying areas, leading to water stagnation on the road surface.
“What kind of engineering is this?” Maj. Asiimwe questioned, expressing dismay at the poor quality of work. She criticized the engineers and local officials for lax supervision, stating that graders were compacting marram on offshoots instead of constructing them properly.
The inspection also covered the Acinga–Acowa Road, a 16.4-kilometer stretch managed by the Ministry of Local Government and awarded to Gat Consults Uganda Limited. Despite Shs884 million already disbursed to the contractor, the works remain incomplete and of poor quality. A major concern was the construction of an unapproved bridge at Acinga Swamp, which was not part of the original Bill of Quantities (BOQs) and has already begun to deteriorate, exhibiting potholes and using substandard materials.
Residents and local leaders have voiced significant frustration, highlighting how the poor road conditions disrupt transportation, access to social amenities, and pose safety risks. They reported that flooding frequently isolates communities, affecting school commutes and access to health centers.
Maj. Asiimwe emphasized that regardless of potential political affiliations of the construction firm, substandard work would not be tolerated. She warned that contractors delivering poor quality services would face prosecution as part of a nationwide monitoring exercise to ensure value for money and compliance with standards.