MBARARA CITY COUNCIL IN HOT SOUP: UGX 160.8 PROJECT STALLS AS CONTRACTOR ABANDONS WORK OVER NON-PAYMENT

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By Aggrey Twesigye
In Mbarara
www.mknewslink.com
The construction of staff houses at Biharwe mixed primary school in mbarara city has stalled after the contractor, M/s Ugawood company ltd, abandoned the project, citing non-payment by the city council.

The UGX 160.8 million project, funded by the Ministry of Education and Sports, was meant to provide six staff houses to improve teacher accommodation and retention.

The project, which commenced on July 30, 2025, and was handed over to M/s Ugawood company ltd was scheduled for completion in September 2025.

However, work came to a halt two months ago.

According to the head teacher, Jerivas Tukwatanise, the contractor had completed most of the construction work, with only a few minor sections left before commissioning.

However, he said the site is now overgrown with bush after the contractor stopped work, reportedly due to the city council’s failure to release the agreed funds.

Eng. Robert Ninsiima, the site engineer for Ugawood Company Ltd, confirmed that the firm had already invested about UGX 130 million of its own funds before suspending operations.

When reached for a comment, Donati Kamugisha, the Acting chief finance officer for mbarara city council, acknowledged that a portion of the project funds amounting to UGX 44 million was erroneously transferred to another contractor, Be- camel company Ltd, which is also executing other projects within the city.

He said the council later reconciled with Be Camel, and an agreement was reached to have the money redirected to Ugawood Company Ltd.

However, Ugawood maintains it has not received the funds, and Be Camel has yet to confirm the transfer.

Jackline Kankunda the mbarara the deputy RCC mbarara city north division has since demanded a detailed explanation from city authorities, including Town Clerk Justine Barekye, over the stalled works.

She has directed the council to produce all project documents, including the Bills of Quantities (BOQs), and account for the disbursed funds.