The construction of the new chambers for the Parliament of Uganda has come under renewed scrutiny after the Auditor General highlighted persistent delays and slow progress on the project.
In the 2024/25 audit report, ROKO Construction Limited is blamed for repeatedly shifting completion timelines.
The contractor has adjusted the deadline six times, with the project now expected to be finished by December 30, 2027.
The report shows that work on the site is lagging behind schedule, with only 49 percent completed against a planned 69 percent, raising concerns about efficiency and value for money.
The prolonged delays mean legislators continue to operate from rented premises despite billions already invested in the project.
So far, more than Shs263 billion has been spent, sparking debate in Parliament over rising costs and accountability.
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi questioned the continued funding of the project amid slow progress, warning about the growing financial burden.
However, Speaker Anita Annet Among defended the decision to retain the contractor, saying cancelling the contract could lead to even greater losses since payments had already been made.
She revealed that Parliament has since changed how funds are handled.
Instead of paying the contractor directly, money is now channelled to suppliers and service providers involved in the works under an arrangement with the Ministry of Finance.
According to Among, the move is meant to improve transparency, control spending, and ensure funds go directly into ongoing construction activities.
Even with these changes, the Auditor General warns that delays and weak project management continue to affect progress, putting more pressure on authorities to ensure the project is completed and delivers value for public funds.
