Government ministers have directed the contractor building the 6.6-kilometer Bweyogerere-Buto Road to accelerate construction, warning that delays could jeopardize preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The directive was issued Tuesday during an inspection of infrastructure projects under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme in Kira Municipality.
State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs Kabuye Kyofatogabye and Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda expressed concern over the project’s slow pace, noting that physical progress stands at about 2 percent despite construction beginning months ago.
The road is being built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation under the supervision of HERSUN Consults Ltd. The construction contract was signed in November 2025.
Kyofatogabye described the road as a strategic transport link because it serves hotels in the area and provides access to Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, one of the venues expected to host matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“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.
The minister blamed the delays on weak project supervision, arguing that time lost before construction began had significantly reduced the period available to complete the works.
He also alleged that some consultants and engineers intentionally delay projects to justify requests for contract variations that increase project costs.
“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,” Kyofatogabye said.
To reduce similar setbacks on future projects, he said the government intends to avoid awarding major civil works contracts before acquiring most of the required land.
According to Kyofatogabye, future infrastructure projects should only proceed after at least 85 percent of land acquisition has been completed, minimizing delays caused by compensation disputes and relocation of utilities.
He also praised residents of Kira Municipality for voluntarily providing land for public infrastructure, saying community cooperation had significantly lowered project costs.
The minister said landowners contributed property valued at about 70 billion Ugandan shillings for the Najjera Road project, nearly matching the road’s construction cost.
Kabanda echoed concerns over the slow progress and warned that the contractor risks losing the 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 committed to increasing manpower and working day and night to recover lost time, adding that the government expects the road to be completed well before the continental football tournament.
Kabanda contrasted the project with other roads under the same urban development program, pointing to the Najjera Road project, which she said is more than 70 percent complete and expected to be handed over in October.
She also commended residents who voluntarily donated land to facilitate road expansion, describing their cooperation as an important contribution to urban development.
The contractor attributed the slow pace to delays in securing the right of way and ongoing construction at the nearby Bweyogerere Interchange. However, the ministers rejected those explanations and instructed the company to deploy additional equipment, increase its workforce and subcontract parts of the project if necessary to ensure the road is completed before Uganda co-hosts the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.