The contractor rehabilitating Kampala’s Northern Bypass has been given until next Monday to complete all outstanding works after the government rejected requests for another extension on the long-delayed project.
The Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, issued the ultimatum during an inspection of the Bwaise–Namungoona section of the Northern Bypass, directing the contractor, Stirling Civil Engineering, to complete the remaining works within seven days and immediately clear the construction site.
“I’m giving the contractor up to Monday next week to complete the ongoing maintenance works on the Northern Bypass,” Byamukama said.
The Shs67 billion rehabilitation project has dragged on for nearly three years, raising concerns over the impact of the delays on motorists, businesses and the wider economy.
“You cannot work on a 21-kilometre road for three years and then come asking for an extension,” the minister said.
Byamukama said the government would not approve any further extension, arguing that the contractor had already exceeded the agreed completion period.
“We are not extending this contract,” he added.
He noted that the prolonged works have caused persistent traffic congestion along one of Kampala’s busiest transport corridors, resulting in longer travel times, increased fuel costs and inconvenience for travellers, including those heading to the airport.
The minister added that the delays have also affected tourism and investment by creating unnecessary bottlenecks on a key route connecting different parts of the city.
To ease congestion at the southern end of the bypass, Byamukama revealed that the government has secured funding in the current financial year to construct additional infrastructure that will separate traffic heading to Masaka Road from vehicles joining the Entebbe Expressway.
He also warned road contractors against repeatedly seeking contract extensions and submitting inflated price escalation claims, saying the Ministry of Works and Transport is strengthening supervision of public infrastructure projects.
According to the minister, contractors awarded government projects must complete them within the agreed timelines, adding that the ministry will no longer tolerate delays or fraudulent claims that cost taxpayers billions of shillings.
“Once you are awarded a project, complete it within the agreed time. If it requires working day and night, do it because government is paying for the work,” he said.
Byamukama further disclosed that he has summoned road contractors to a meeting this week to reinforce the government’s expectations on timely project delivery and accountability.
Phase One of the Bwaise–Namungoona road rehabilitation project commenced on 9 February and was initially scheduled for completion within two months. The road was reopened to traffic in April, allowing vehicles to resume normal movement.
Last month, the contractor requested an additional three weeks to complete the remaining works. Although the project is now nearly complete, the contractor sought another extension, which the minister rejected.
