The government has directed the contractor constructing the 6.6-kilometre Bweyogerere-Buto Road to accelerate works and complete the project ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), warning that continued delays could result in termination of the contract.
KAMPALA — The Minister of State for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, and the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda, have ordered the contractor undertaking the 6.6-kilometre Bweyogerere-Buto Road to speed up construction and deliver the project before the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The directive was issued on Tuesday during an inspection of road projects being implemented under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme (GKMA-UDP) in Kira Municipality.
The road is being constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) under the supervision of HERSUN Consults Ltd. The contract was signed on November 25, 2025.
The ministers expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work, noting that physical progress on the project stands at only about two percent despite the contractor having had possession of the site for several months.
Kyofatogabye said the road is of strategic importance because it serves several hotels and provides access to Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, one of the venues expected to host matches during Afcon 2027.
“That road is critical because it serves the hotels and at the same time it is near Namboole. You know Afcon 2027 is coming, so we want to see that before Afcon starts between June and July 2027, the road should be done,” he said.
He blamed the slow progress on poor supervision by consultants and project managers, saying unnecessary delays had significantly reduced the time available for construction.
“Imagine a consultant holding a project for seven months. A project that is supposed to run for 18 months means the actual construction time is reduced to only 11 months. These are the dangers, and that is why we shall keep going there every week to ensure progress is fast-tracked,” Kyofatogabye said.
The minister also accused some consultants and engineers of deliberately delaying projects to justify claims for time-related compensation through contract variations.
“There is a trick they play. They deliberately cause delays so they can later call for compensation for lost time. That compensation comes with variations of almost 15 percent. That is huge money. We have to open our eyes and stop this practice,” he said.
To minimise future delays, Kyofatogabye said government would no longer award major civil works contracts before acquiring most of the required land.
“This time round, we are not going to procure any more civil works contracts where land acquisition is not beyond 85 percent. Prepare, acquire the land and the right of way in advance. I don’t want to hear stories of six-month delays because of land acquisition or relocation of utilities,” he said.
He also encouraged communities to voluntarily provide land for public infrastructure projects, arguing that the approach had helped reduce project costs in Kira Municipality.
According to the minister, residents donated land valued at about Shs70 billion for the Najjera Road project, nearly matching the Shs72 billion construction cost.
“If Ugandans are spoken to and they see the benefit, they contribute. People donated land worth almost Shs70 billion to construct a road worth Shs72 billion. That shows we need a policy on land restoration and voluntary land donation because it will help us develop much faster,” he said.
Kabanda warned that government would not hesitate to terminate the contractor’s contract if work does not improve.
“Buto–Bweyogerere road works are still behind schedule. They are at only 2 percent despite receiving the contract six months ago. We have directed the mayor and the town clerk to supervise the works closely. If they don’t improve, we shall cancel the contract and give it to other people,” she said.
She said the contractor had pledged to increase the pace of construction by working around the clock.
“They have told us they are going to work day and night. Let them work day and night. We want this road completed by the end of this year or, at the latest, by April next year,” Kabanda said.
The minister contrasted the project’s slow progress with other roads under the GKMA-UDP, citing the Najjera Road project, which she said had reached between 70 and 75 percent completion and is expected to be handed over in October.
“Others have done good work. Najjera Road is already at about 70 to 75 percent and they are expected to hand over by October. But these others, we are not happy with them at all,” she said.
Kabanda also commended residents of Kira Municipality for voluntarily offering land required for road expansion.
“People have talked to the landlords and they have offered land free of charge. Almost 90 percent have offered land. It is only about 10 percent who have not. I am happy because this cooperation has enabled the project to move forward,” she said.
The contractor attributed the slow progress to delays in acquiring the right of way and ongoing construction works at the Bweyogerere Interchange by the Ministry of Works and Transport, saying the project had effectively lost seven months waiting for access.
However, the ministers rejected the explanation and directed the contractor to mobilise additional equipment, increase manpower and subcontract portions of the works where necessary to recover lost time and deliver the road ahead of Afcon 2027.
