The Ministry of Works and Transport has assured motorists and residents of Kasawo and Seeta Namuganga in Mukono District that construction of their road will be completed despite delays caused by equipment breakdowns, waterlogged sections and difficulties in sourcing suitable construction materials.
The Kasawo-Seeta Namuganga road project has stalled at about 15 per cent completion since the contract was awarded to Jefflen Industrial Solutions Ltd in May, raising concerns about whether the contractor will meet the April 2027 deadline for the Shs1.2 billion project.
Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, a senior communications officer at the ministry, said officials were closely monitoring implementation and engaging local leaders to address the challenges affecting progress.
‘The contractor has been directed to submit a recovery plan. The Ministry is closely monitoring progress and engaging local leaders,’ he said.
The assurance comes amid growing frustration among residents, traders and motorists who say the delayed works have left them struggling to cross River Matumbwe whenever it rains.
Some residents have accused the contractor of dumping loose soil into the river, allegedly obstructing water flow and worsening flooding during heavy rains.
The delays have also raised questions about contract supervision and accountability for public funds committed to the project.
According to a project update from the ministry, the contractor has opened up 1.1 kilometres of road and widened and deepened drainage channels along one kilometre of swamp sections to improve water flow.
However, delayed mobilisation of construction materials pushed critical works in the swamp sections into the September-November rainy season, making construction more difficult because of persistent waterlogging.
Mr Ainebyoona said the contractor had also encountered difficulties sourcing approved fill material suitable for swamp conditions, while equipment breakdowns had further slowed progress.
Ms Margaret Musanje, popularly known as Maama Matumbwe, who represents the area at the district council, said local leaders were frustrated by the slow pace of construction.
‘This road is being done shoddily and the contract period is almost expiring with nothing tangible on the ground,’ she said.
However, Mr Benjamin M. Webooya, the site engineer representing Jefflen Industrial Solutions Ltd, acknowledged the challenges but assured local leaders that work would continue and the road would be completed.
‘I can confirm that our team is now on the ground and working. The rains had disrupted our operations and exposed some issues that needed to be addressed during construction,’ he said on Monday.
The ministry’s recovery plan directive and continued monitoring are expected to address the delays as the contractor works to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.