Ntungamo municipality road infrastructure project implementation becomes sluggish

Ntungamo municipality road infrastructure project is reportedly moving on more slowly than it was anticipated. This came to light when a technical committee visited the project site to assess its progress. The committee was made up of engineers, planners, and environmental and social experts.

In addition to the slow pace of the project, it was discovered that only Shs5 billion of the Shs12.5 billion set aside for the World Bank-funded project has been utilized. As a result, Shs7.5 billion has been returned to Treasury. The World Bank is funding the Ntungamo municipality road infrastructure project through the USMID program. USMID stands for “Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Additional Funding’

Challenges faced during the execution of the Ntungamo municipality road infrastructure project

The lack of a physical plan presents the municipality with a number of difficulties while carrying out the project. This is according to Mr. Jacob Kafureka, mayor of Ntungamo Municipality. 

Kafureka added that relocating service lines for water and electricity to make room for road work has also been challenging. Moreover, local authorities in some of the USMID program’s implementing municipalities have often raised the issue of the project’s delayed implementation due to a lack of clear plans. 

Eng Richard Kyobe said that a court dispute had contributed to the delay. Kyobe is from the implementing contractor Multiplex-DITACO JV. He explained that the court order pertains to a commercial house that is within the design corridor. In order for the owner to allow them right of way, he explained that they have to pay Shs200m in compensation. The house is in Cell 09, Miro 2 Central Division. 

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Discussions underway to come up with a solution, especially for the projects’ right of way

The town clerk for Ntungamo Municipality, Mr. Robert Nyamugo, noted that discussions had been taking place to come up with a solution.

Noteworthy, the World Bank’s USMID program does not include funds for compensation. Therefore, Dr. Isaac Mutenyo, urged the municipal authorities to quickly and amicably settle the right-of-way issues. Mutenyo is the coordinator of the USMID AF Programme.

These roads, according to him, will be completed in a year, as per the time frame. He added that the contractor also has to stick to the design and contract specifications and use the proper materials in the right quality and quantity.