Dott Services Limited, the Naguru based construction company hired to lay asphalt and box culverts on Mbale-Tirinyi Road has complained of lack of cash in its effort to deliver perfect work. The company has called on government through Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to avail cash so as to be able to affect work on the affected road.
Heavy downpour on Monday, April 17 washed away three of the diversions previously created by the contractor to enable ongoing rehabilitation works on the Nakalama—Tirinyi – Mbale Highway cutting off the road completely.
This compelled senior Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) officials led by Acting Executive Director Sam Muhoozi to rush to the affected area.
In an emergency meeting held at the Dott Services camp in Tirinyi, Muhoozi asked the contractor to explain what caused the mess.
Dott Services co-Director Prasad said financial challenges have affected their speed and operations.
“We never expected a cash flow problem,” said Prasad, adding, “If the banks know you have cash flow problems it becomes difficult to open lines of credit to get financing.” He also said the incident was unexpected but appropriate action had been taken to address the situation.
During yesterday’s meeting, Muhoozi “noted with concern that the situation could have been averted.”
He added: “I don’t agree that this was an act of God. You didn’t envisage that such a thing could happen. You didn’t consider the drainage problem. A similar case could happen if we get more rains.”
Muhoozi directed that Dott Services must “mobilize enough to work on the sites concurrently.”
The closure of the road compelled travelers to use the longer Tororo-Mbale route to access Eastern Uganda. The contractor was advised to mobilize a speed moisture tester to expedite the work. Currently, traffic is flowing after new diversions were created by the contractor.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) informs the public that following a heavy downpour on Monday April 17th on the Nakalama—Tirinyi – Mbale Highway, three of the diversions previously created by the contractor to enable ongoing rehabilitation works were washed away and made impassable for motorists.
Here are quick notes for your information;
The first diversion which had been created at Km53 was completely flooded and by 9pm of Monday April 17th, the diversion had become too slippery for traffic to flow freely and the contractor is preparing to carry out emergency works to restore it to a motorable state.
At about the same time, the diversion at Km57 was partly washed away and submerged by water. As a means of ensuring safety, Traffic Police stationed at Tirinyi began to advise vehicles to divert to an alternative route. However, one truck driver did not adhere to the advice and on arrival at the submerged area, the truck over-turned. Police was then called to the scene for rescue and to avert the usual rush to loot fuel by the locals.
The third and final diversion at Km77 was completely washed away along with the main culvert.
As such, Traffic Police has taken over control of the affected areas along with our teams and the contractor. All heavy vehicles have been diverted to the Tirinyi – Pallisa – Kamonkoli route, while safe passage has been created for smaller vehicles along the Nakalama—Tirinyi—Mbale road.
In the meantime, the contractor along with our team is working round the clock to ensure the road is reinstated and opened to traffic within 24 hours.
MANAGEMENT
For any more enquiries please reach the Public and Corporate Affairs Division on Telephone numbers; +256 414 318 106/107 +256 772 517 118, +256 782 597 517 Or call our Toll free lines 0800 100 811/812
UNRA, CONNECTING UGANDA.
Km 57+460 (where fuel tanker fell on the RHS diversion). Vehicles are now using the main road.
New Ugandan National Roads Authority (UNRA) Board headed by Fred Jachan Omach took some time to tour road projects in some parts of the country. UNRA took off some time to take its new board members on a familiarisation trip of the road network and particularly the critical oil roads due for upgrading.
The entire new board led by Fred Omach was joined by some members of UNRA senior management led by Executive Director Allen Kagina for a tour set to last for a week.
The tour is aimed at ensuring the new board members inaugurated over a month ago is familiar with the road network with which they are mandated to supervise and guide.
“We are with them for a week on an inspection of the Northern region road network and the very urgent and critical oils roads,” UNRA.
They started off on Sunday morning with the Sungira Hills access road in Nakasongola where the government through UPDF is going to establish a national radar centre. UNRA constructed the access road to this facility.
Later they inspected Karuma bridge, and ongoing projects at Olwiyo Gulu, Acholibur-Musingo Road.
Day two; the team inspected the road network in Adjumani and Moyo, Arua mostly that under road maintenance.
Inspection of critical oils starts today.
So far they have applauded the positive attitude to work and the team spirit in the upcountry stations managing the gravel road network. They have also appreciated the blossoming culture at UNRA where the Board is kept informed of events and are part of an inspection team. The Board called for stricter adherence to contractual compliance measures to ensure contractors provide value for money.
UNRA used the moment to showcase the ongoing works in the development and maintenance of roads in Northern Uganda. The roads body also asked for their moral and technical contribution and enabling access to funds to ensure UNRA deliver as effectively as possible on its mandate.
China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) has defied all odds by doing excellent road works on Kampala-Entebbe Expressway. The road works on the expressway is at above 75% complete and expected to be fully completed by the end of this year. CCCC’s core works have is the uniqueness which it has put on the road. Then there is beautification of the road side and Kajjansi Interchange.
The anti Glare therefore removes the effect of light to ensure no conflict of light thereby safeguarding safety of road users along the Expressway! You don’t find this on the ordinary highway.
When complete, the expressway will be one of the best roads in Uganda if not the best. CCCC’s works on the road shows its prowess to perform the best as road constructor.
CCCC acting Country manager, Zheng Biao said CCCC has the capacity to construct and build any road in Uganda. They do services in Road, Railway, Dredging and Reclamation and Port infrastructure.
CCCC is also in charge of tarmacing Mubende – Kagadi Road.
What is CCCC?
China Communications Construction Co., Ltd. (CCCC) is a Chinese publicly traded construction company. China National Real Estate Development Group is a sister company of China Communications Construction Co., Ltd., which was both owned by China Communications Construction Group Corp., a state-owned enterprise that was supervised by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.
History
The company was established in mainland china in 2005 from the merger of China Harbour Engineering Company Group and China Road and Bridge Group. The company is engaged in the construction and design of transportation infrastructure dredging and port machinery manufacturing business. It is the largest port construction and Design Company in China, the largest dredging company in China and the third largest in the world.
It now holds an additional subsidiary, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC) (Chinese:
In April 2015, the Australia Government approved the sale of Leighton Holding’s John Holland Group, one the country’s biggest construction firms, to China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) for A$1.15bn (¥5.46bn; $879m).
As of June 2015, China Communications Construction Company ranks 4th amongst Chinese companies for intangible assets.
IPO Investors
CCCC is the largest Mainland China’s infrastructure government-owned enterprise company listed in Hong Kong Stock Exchange Market. Some of its stock were bought by billionaires, including Li Ka Shing, Lee Shau Kee, Joseph Lau, Robert Kuok and Alwaleed bin Talal, during its initial public offering (IPO) on December 2006. China Life Insurance Group, Chow Tai Fook Group and Government of Singapore Investment Corporation were its strategic stockholders.
The disclosure and verification of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) on the Kampala Jinja Expressway particularly the Kampala Southern Bypass commenced on 20th March 2017. This process started at chainage (km 11+150- 13+750km).
Juliet Oyella, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Senior Land Valuer said the exercise is meant for the affected persons and beneficiaries to know how much they are to receive out of their affected properties. She said this at the start of the verification exercise at St. Dennis Sebugwawo Catholic Church.
“This is done for transparency and to ensure the person is the right owner of the property,” Oyella said.
She said they are engaging Local Chairpersons to help in the verification process since they know the people in their areas.
Oyella said the exercise that will go for fifteen days within the villages of Kigundu, Kalule, Lower Konge, Upper Konge, Lukuli Zone 5, Nakinyuguzi and Kigaga is expected cover 327 PAPs. “Some affected persons have different names on different documents,” said Oyella.
The valuation team is encouraging those with different names like the women who acquired a property before getting married to get a declaration form or an affidavit.
The Kampala-Jinja mainline Expressway (77km) and Kampala Southern Bypass (18km) will collectively form the Kampala Jinja Expressway (KJE) Public Private Partnership (PPP). The Project will be critical in connecting Uganda to the port of Mombasa on the Kenya coast and to the neighboring countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
Government has moved to implement the Justice Bamugemereire Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) probe report even when the line Minister of Works has not presented a white paper to cabinet as is the norm.
“It is irregular but as Government we need to act and move things as the UNRA report discovered, that over four trillion (4 trillion shillings) meant for road works was swindled,” UNRA official said.
According to the report seen by this reporter which was handed over to the president, implicates politicians including ministers, Technocrats at UNRA and works Ministry, contractors and Consultants among others.
Allen Kagina was brought in to curb corruption at UNRA
Former Executive Director of UNRA Peter Ssebanakita is specifically sighted in the report for admitting favouring Energo Project in the UGX 165bn construction of the Deal Kawempe – Kafu Road, designed to connect the northern corridor to South Sudan.
“Confessed Ssebanakita have directed the contracts committee to select Energo Project as the winner of the contract.
In a letter he wrote to them dated 10th February 2010, by giving them one option to select Energo, which tantamount to abuse of office” an official at the Ministry on condition of anonymity said.
In a blame game to hide his identity for any wrong doing, Ssebanakitta admitted signing for double payments for Energo project but quickly blamed his Juniors for the mess.
In addition, ten (10 contractors) had bided for the Kafu – Kawempe Road but in their recommendations, the contracts’ committee had dust binned Energo Project company for having presented the same human resource and equipment for three different projects, and as a result brought about future variation of prices for the Kafu- Kawempe Road Asphalt overlay project.
“UNRA bosses for one reason or another went ahead and did several contracts price variations by adjusting the amount in the contracts and ended up paying Energo Shs 11.3bn, Shs. 2.2 bn and 862m for different pieces of work completed along same section but within 18 months contracts period” One member of the probe team revealed.
As if that was not bad enough UNRA, Management the probe reported, approved UGX 30 billion to Energo project to stabilize what they referred to as inflation of Uganda shillings which was abnormal.
Mr. Bruno Musoke was reportedly a point man between management of Energo project and UNRA Officials the report revealed.
Project supervisor Aurecon, Project Manager Bruno Musoke, David Luyimbazi and EnergO project must refund the money which they refer to as nugatory expenditures, by the Auditor General.
Relatedly the Kawempe – Kafu Road has emptied Ugandan tax payers’ pockets of a total of over 210 bn shillings whose construction process began way back in 2005, and by 2007-8, the same Road Engineers reported that the road had started developing cracks and portholes.
Mr. Milivoje Milisavjevic, the Serbian Company Managing Director has on several occasions blamed the South African Consultant Aurecon Amei for any wrong doing.
“We as contractors do work on the specifications given to us by the consultants and produced evidence of the three addendum that were signed. “This is abnormal how can a project meant to be completed in eighteen months at a total cost of UGX 28bn, take over 10 years and a cost of over 250 bn shillings on top of working under a direct bidding and expired contract.
The Solicitor General in a heat of anger said that the Kawempe – Kafu and Kafu-Kiryandongo Road stretch was illegal and not authorized by his office.
Mr. Gashirabake Christopher said construction work by ENERGO Project, and Consultancy by Aurecon Amei were on site then illegally.
Dott Services and Energo, project the probe report recommends for punitive measures to be taken against them ranging from being blacklisted to refunding the money obtained illegally.
The report further recommends that their funders World Bank, IMF, IDA and European Union will in future become reluctant in funding infrastructure projects in Uganda if punitive actions are not taken to redress the misconduct and in ethical practices these contractors have developed. Notwithstanding the huge financial loss cause to the nation as well as delay in infrastructural development.
It sighted that Uganda losses billions of shilling annually to dubious deals between contractors, technocrats and consultants. And no punitive action is taken to address the loss or even stop the vice.
The current UNRA Boss Allen Kagina said UNRA has put strict measures to tackle misconduct, unethical practices and shoddily work by contractors. And has adopted a no tolerant regulations against perpetrators.
Latest shot of the Nambigirwa Bridge along the Kampala- Entebbe Expressway project shows that the work on the bridge is nearing completion. This is by the way, the longest bridge in East Africa and is approximately 1.5km.
Meanwhile Kampala-Entebbe Expressway is fitted with Anti Glare screens. Their role is to protect road users/motorists in different directions from light interference.
The anti Glare therefore removes the effect of light to ensure no conflict of light thereby safeguarding safety of road users along the Expressway! You don’t find this on the ordinary highway.
In a related development, UNRA has started verification exercise of persons affected by the Kampala Southern Bypass (Kampala-Jinja Expressway). “UNRA is taking a proactive approach to ensure persons within the right of way for the road is secured by the time construction of Jinja – Kampala Expressway starts”.
Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has suspended operations of Kiyindi-Buvuma Ferry after mechanical problems were sighted. An official communication from UNRA confirmed the suspension of the operations saying it was aimed at avoiding catastrophe.
“Kiyindi-Buvuma ferry will return to service a safer vessel. Repairs on the ferry have kicked off and are ongoing now,” UNRA.
Meanwhile in Kayunga today, UNRA Executive Director (ED) Allen Kagina and project team on Mukono-Kayunga & Bukoloto-Njeru Road interacted with leaders and residents along the road to resolve outstanding concerns from the residents in regards to ongoing project works.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has a new board. Former Minister of State for Finance Hon. Fred Jachan Omach has been appointed the chairman of the new board. Omach who hails from Jonam County in Nebbi district is a banker and former MP for Jonam County.
Fred Omach with Allen Kagina (L), UNRA ED and another official of the roads body after he was appointed Chairman of the new UNRA Board
He served in the Ugandan cabinet for over 10 years as Minister of State for Finance (General Duties). Omach is referred to as the pillar of Nebbi. The new UNRA Board comprises of the following members;
Chairman – Hon Jachan Omach
Member representing ERB/UIPE – Dr Umaru Bagampadde
Member representing MOWT – Eng Samson Bagonza
Member Representing NPA – Dr Joseph Muvawala
Member representing MOFPED – Mr. Laban Mbulamuko
Member representing private sector – Mrs Petra Sansa.
Member representing UNRA – Executive Director
Brief Biography about Fred Omach
Fred Omach attended Nyapeya High School, in Nebbi District, for his S1 to S4 schooling. He then attended Lango College in Lira for his S1 to S6 studies graduating in 1973. He entered Makerere University, the oldest University in East Africa, in 1974, graduating in 1977 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Economics & Social Administration (BA).
Fred Omach with a visiting foreign dignatory in Nebbi a few years a go
Work experience
His first job after university was in 1978, with the Ministry of Public Service, as a Personnel Officer. In 1979 he joined the now defunct Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB). Over the years, he rose through the ranks until he attained the rank of General Manager, at UCB, the largest commercial bank in Uganda at that time. In 2001, he retired from banking and entered elective politics.
He successfully contested for the parliamentary seat of ‘Jonam County’, Nebbi District, in 2001. He Was re-elected to that parliamentary seat in 2006 till 2016. Omach was a Minister in the ministry of Finance from June 2006 till 2016.
Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has today launched its tree planting project dubbed Grow Green Right Of Way (GROW) at Namboole Roundabout along the Northern Bypass.
The Green Right Of Way (GROW) programme is to plant trees along all our road projects for the restoration of the environment.
The campaign that will see trees planted along major national roads was launched by UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina today morning.
While launching the campaign, the no nonsense Kagina said trees must be owned by communities and if not then they will disappear. “These trees are aimed at preserving environment, bringing employment to women and Youth as managers and caretakers of these trees. We will plant fruit trees to help in nutrition and income earning. To secure our future, the future of Ugandans as well as secure humanity because these trees inhale some of the toxic gases that affect humanity.
She added, “The trees will increase biodiversity along highways and cities…we can’t exist alone. We co-exist with these plants. As we think about development by building skyscrapers, we should consider planting trees like counterparts in developed countries. We will make sure our future contractors grass and plant trees in all our road reserves in the coming projects. This is not just tree planting launch but Restoration of environment. We will make sure there is a robust management for these trees”.
Kagina later participated in planting of trees along Namboole Roundabout where more than 10 trees were planted by her and different UNRA partners in the project including National Forestry Authority (NFA).
