KAMPALA — Road contractors in Uganda must now significantly deliver on their current projects before they can be considered for new government awards, a directive from the Cabinet aims to curb delays and boost efficiency in infrastructure development. Under the new rule, only firms that have completed at least 75% of the civil works on their existing contracts will be eligible to bid for fresh projects.

State Minister for Kampala Affairs and Metropolitan Area, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, publicly announced the stringent new guideline on Thursday. He made the revelation at the closing ceremony of a workshop for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area-Urban Development Projects (GKMA-UDP), held at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, Kampala.

“There is no law that forbids us from awarding a contractor a new contract, but we want to ensure that they have the capacity to handle our road projects,” Kyofatogabye explained, underscoring the government’s determination to see projects through to timely completion.

The new directive, which stems directly from recent Cabinet deliberations, is specifically aimed at reducing inefficiencies and expediting construction works, particularly within the framework of the World Bank-funded GKMA-UDP.

Push for Accountability

The move follows strong frustrations voiced by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja in March regarding the sluggish pace of various construction projects across the city. She had warned then that companies failing to meet deadlines could face contract termination, citing the delayed Salama-Munyonyo road, which President Yoweri Museveni inspected in 2023.

“We cannot tolerate unserious contractors. We must ensure that Kampala shines with good roads,” Nabbanja had declared after touring city roads earlier in the year.

Echoing this sentiment, Kyofatogabye stated during the workshop, “We now want to confirm that you must have reached 75% completion on the basic work before giving you another contract, as this typically leaves only drainage to be finalised.”

GKMA-UDP Progress and Challenges

While acknowledging some delays on the GKMA-UDP, Kyofatogabye maintained that the ministry remains on track to complete significant works by the 2027 deadline.

“So far, we’ve covered two years, and soon we will begin our mid-term review,” he noted. He reported that over 149km of a targeted 200km have already been contracted, with an additional 50km now advertised for bidding.

“By September, we should have close to 200km finalised, allowing for additional work to commence next year. I have confidence that all contractors involved will deliver successfully,” he added.

Kyofatogabye attributed the initial delays, which caused the ministry to miss its January 2025 target for starting work, to a full year in 2024 dedicated to design reviews, as well as challenges in right-of-way acquisition. The latter was primarily due to a lack of budget for compensating project-affected persons.

He expressed gratitude that most communities are now cooperating, enabling civil works to commence. He indicated that right-of-way acquisition is nearing completion at about 98%, with all physical work and construction expected to start by June 1.

Endorsed by Cabinet in March 2020, the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area-Urban Development Projects (GKMA-UDP) is valued at $566 million (approximately Sh2.1 trillion). The funding mix includes a $518 million loan and a $48 million grant from the World Bank, supplemented by a $42.66 million (Sh156.4 billion) loan from Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

This government initiative is implemented through the Office of the President and the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs. Operating under a “program for results” financing model, it ensures robust institutional performance in budgeting, procurement, and financial management.

Nine entities are executing the GKMA-UDP, including the Kampala Capital City Authority, the local governments of Wakiso, Mukono, and Mpigi, and their respective municipal authorities of Kira, Nansana, Makindye Ssabagabo, Mukono, and Entebbe.