Contractors implementing education infrastructure projects in Kamwenge District have been warned against shoddy work, with officials saying facilities that fail to meet required standards will not be commissioned.
The warning was issued on Friday during the technical site handover for the construction of selected facilities at Mpanga Parents’ Secondary School and Bigodi Secondary School.
The projects are being funded by the Ministry of Education and Sports under the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP), which supports the construction and expansion of secondary school facilities across the country.
Eng Aggrey Atukwasa, the official in charge of the USEEP Project Implementation Unit in Tooro Sub-region, said contractors must prioritise quality and complete the projects within the agreed timelines.
At Mpanga Parents’ Secondary School, Unified Engineering and Investment Limited has been contracted to construct four furnished classrooms and a fully equipped science laboratory at a cost of Shs849.4 million.
Eng Atukwasa said the contractor has two weeks to mobilise resources and six months to complete the works.
He warned the company against poor workmanship and unnecessary delays, saying failure to adhere to project standards could compromise the quality and durability of the facilities.
“We do not want to see unnecessary requests for extensions. Delays have in the past resulted in poor-quality work,” he said.
The managing director of Unified Engineering and Investment Limited, Eng Ronald Musasira, presented the required project documents, including a performance guarantee from Centenary Bank and insurance from GA Insurance.
He pledged that the company would complete the project within the agreed timeframe and to the required standards.
At Bigodi Secondary School in Bigodi Town Council, Andy Mucho Investments Limited will construct two five-stance latrines at a cost of Shs220.04 million.
Eng Flugence Turyatemba, who represented the company, also pledged to complete the works within the stipulated period.
The chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Education and Sports, Eng Cuthbert Abigaba Mirembe, who is also the Kibale County MP, called for joint supervision of the projects by school administrators, local communities and government officials.
He urged contractors to demonstrate their commitment through quality work rather than simply presenting the required documentation.
Eng Mirembe also pledged to use his position in Parliament to lobby for additional education infrastructure projects in Kamwenge District.
Kamwenge District LCV chairperson Joseph Karungi said the local government would continue supporting government efforts to expand access to secondary education, in line with the policy of establishing a secondary school in every sub-county.
Karungi urged the contractors to use genuine construction materials to ensure the facilities are durable.
He also asked school administrators to maintain proper site plans to guide future developments, including projects that could be supported under the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Namara Loy Batuze warned that contractors who do shoddy work risk having their projects rejected.
She said the district would not commission facilities that fail to meet the required standards.
Officials also directed the contractors to employ local residents and refugees, as required under World Bank-supported projects in refugee-hosting districts.
The headteachers of the two schools, Nzana Habert of Bigodi Secondary School and Asaba Kamida of Mpanga Parents’ Secondary School, pledged to cooperate with the contractors and provide close supervision during implementation.
