A fresh storm has erupted over the long-delayed upgrading of the Luweero–Butalangu road after a Member of Parliament petitioned Parliament, accusing the contractor of abandoning the multi-billion-shilling project and plunging residents into economic hardship.
The complaint, addressed to the Speaker of Parliament as a matter of national importance, paints a grim picture of a road project that has missed its completion deadline by several years despite consuming billions of taxpayers’ money.
According to the document seen by The Investigator, the legislator says Dot Services Ltd was contracted to tarmac the 29-kilometre Luweero–Butalangu road at a cost of Shs93 billion. The project was financed through a loan secured in 2017 and was expected to be completed and handed over to the Ministry of Works and Transport in 2019. However, six years after the expected completion date, the road remains unfinished.
The MP warns that the prolonged delays have crippled transport, disrupted businesses and left thousands of residents frustrated.
Parliament Petition
In the petition, the legislator tells Parliament that one section of the road has become virtually impassable after being closed by the contractor for an extended period.
“Dot Service Ltd was contracted to tarmac Luweero–Butalangu road (29km) at Shs93bn. This money was a loan secured in 2017 and the road was supposed to be handed over to the ministry in 2019. Unfortunately, to date, the road is still under construction,” the petition reads.
The MP singles out the stretch between Kiwoko and the Luweero Don Fuel Station, saying it has remained closed for nearly one year.
According to the petition, the closure has denied motorists access to one of the area’s busiest transport corridors, affecting movement of people and goods.”I therefore pray that the Government through the Ministry of Works and Transport intervenes so that the work is expedited to allow traffic flow and normal trade in the affected zone,” the MP appealed.
Residents Bear the Brunt
The prolonged construction has reportedly taken a heavy toll on residents, traders and transport operators who depend on the road linking Luweero District to neighbouring communities.Motorists have been forced to use lengthy alternative routes, increasing fuel costs and travel time.
Traders transporting agricultural produce have equally complained about delayed deliveries, while taxi operators say poor road conditions have accelerated vehicle wear and tear.Business owners along the corridor also report declining customer traffic because many motorists now avoid the route altogether.
The delays have renewed concerns over the management of major government-funded infrastructure projects, particularly those financed through external borrowing.Critics argue that every year of delay increases project costs while denying Ugandans the intended economic benefits.
Tough talking minister
Since taking office, Minister of Works and Transport Fred Byamukama has adopted a firm stance against contractors who abandon or unduly delay government road projects, warning that such practices undermine public confidence and slow economic development.
He has repeatedly directed contractors to return to stalled sites and honour their contractual obligations, stressing that government will not tolerate unnecessary delays on projects funded by taxpayers and development partners. Byamukama has maintained that contractors who fail to perform risk sanctions, including contract reviews and other measures provided for under their agreements.
The minister’s tough position has been evident on several major road projects across the country, including the Mityana–Fort Portal Road and the Mpigi–Busunju Road, where he publicly demanded that contractors accelerate construction and address bottlenecks that had slowed progress. He has consistently emphasized that well-maintained road infrastructure is critical for trade, tourism and agricultural productivity, urging contractors to mobilize sufficient equipment, personnel and financing to ensure projects are completed within the agreed timelines. According to Byamukama, government will continue closely monitoring all ongoing road works to guarantee value for money and timely delivery of infrastructure projects.
Contractor Explains Delays
Dot Services Ltd has attributed the slowdown to financial constraints that affected project implementation.Company spokesperson Ben Byarabaha confirmed that work had indeed slowed in recent months but said the contractor has now resumed operations after securing additional financing.
“We have resumed work on the project following arrangements for extra funding. Our teams are back on site and construction activities are progressing. We appreciate the patience of the public and assure all stakeholders that we are committed to completing the road,” Byarabaha said.
He explained that mobilization of equipment and personnel had already commenced and that residents would soon witness increased activity along the road corridor.According to the company, renewed financing will enable faster execution of the remaining works and eventual completion of the project.
Strategic Importance
The Luweero–Butalangu road is regarded as one of the key transport arteries in the Greater Luweero region.
Besides connecting trading centres, the road serves farmers transporting coffee, bananas, maize and other agricultural produce to urban markets.Improved road infrastructure was expected to lower transport costs, attract investment and stimulate economic activity across the district.
Government has repeatedly cited road construction as central to Uganda’s strategy of improving market access and boosting household incomes.However, prolonged delays on projects such as Luweero–Butalangu continue to raise questions about project supervision, contractor performance and value for money.
Pressure Mounts
The parliamentary complaint is likely to pile further pressure on both the Ministry of Works and the contractor to deliver visible progress.
Members of Parliament have increasingly demanded stricter accountability for delayed infrastructure projects, arguing that taxpayers deserve timely delivery of services financed through public borrowing.
Infrastructure analysts say prolonged delays often increase project costs through inflation, contract variations and additional supervision expenses.
For residents of Luweero, however, the concern is more immediate.Their priority is seeing construction completed and normal traffic restored after years of waiting.
With government now directing Dot Services Ltd back to full operations and the contractor confirming that additional funding has been secured, attention will shift to whether the renewed commitments translate into tangible progress on the ground.
For thousands of motorists, traders and farmers who rely on the road every day, the hope is that the latest promises finally mark the beginning of the end of a project that has taken far longer than originally planned.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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