Minister Warns of Blacklisting Contractors Over Shoddy Road Works

The State Minister for Local Government, Justine Namere, has warned that contractors who deliver substandard government projects risk having their contracts terminated, being prosecuted and blacklisted from undertaking public works in Uganda and beyond.

Namere issued the warning on Tuesday while launching rural road projects worth 32.1 million euros in Serere District under the Rural Development and Food Security Programme. The roads, funded by the German Government through KfW Development Bank, are expected to improve access to markets, boost agricultural production, create jobs and reduce poverty across the Teso sub-region.

Her remarks followed concerns from Members of Parliament, who said many government-funded road projects have been poorly executed, with some contractors abandoning sites after receiving substantial payments. Serere County MP Emmanuel Omoding urged the Ministry of Local Government to ensure the new projects are implemented properly, saying poor service delivery continues to frustrate residents despite government investment.

“This is now the time for us to fulfill the promises that government made during campaigns. These people are awaiting to be served, and through your office, we hope to see better service delivery in Serere and Teso at large,” Omoding said. Serere District Woman MP Esther Lucky Acom said legislators are united in demanding accountability from contractors, arguing that poor workmanship has denied communities the benefits of government projects.

“Whenever these projects are launched, these contractors begin to play games, and most of them do not even do what is intended, yet they leave the community facing poor services,” Acom said. Responding to the concerns, Namere said the government would no longer tolerate contractors, engineers and supervisors who use technicalities to conceal poor workmanship.

She warned that any contractor found using substandard materials, abandoning projects or delivering work that does not meet the required standards would face severe consequences. “These projects are designed to uplift our people, so when you are doing the work, ensure that you do the work that reflects and serves the people,” Namere said.

She said contractors who fail to meet contractual obligations risk being blacklisted not only in Uganda but also across East Africa and the wider continent, effectively shutting them out of future government contracts. Namere further warned that roads constructed with public funds should withstand the test of time. “It is not going to work; the time for mediocre engineering and games is gone. I do not want to hear that roads paid for by government have been swallowed by swamps or are in a bad state within three weeks, three months or even three years. That hurts the government, the donors and the communities these projects are meant to serve,” she said.

The minister also directed contractors to prioritise employing residents as casual labourers during construction instead of importing workers from other parts of the country. She said engaging local communities would not only create employment but also help transfer skills to young people living in the project areas.

Namere stressed that all projects must be completed within the agreed timelines and in accordance with contractual standards, warning that contractors who cause financial loss to the government through poor workmanship will be prosecuted. “We are running a campaign to expose all those involved in corruption and those who divert money meant for ordinary citizens,” she said.

The projects launched include the 14-kilometre Serere–Upper Shops Road, which has been awarded to TABA Services; the Atirir–Orungo Border Road in Soroti District, contracted to Magambi Civil Engineering Limited; and the 12.8-kilometre Kaberamaido–Ochero Road, which will be constructed by CAB.

The roads form part of a broader government effort to improve rural connectivity, support agricultural production and enhance access to markets in the Teso sub-region.