Works Hits 80% In 2016-2021 Manifesto Implementation

The Ministry of Works and Transport says the ministry hit 80% 2016-2021 manifesto implementation target.

Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala the commitments were made amidst a budget cut. The ministry, he says, requires UGX 37,013.31bn to implement commitments in the manifesto.

During the period 2016/17-2020/21 the ministry received shillings 25,172.20 billion, thus, a funding gap of shillings 11,841.11 billion.

Gen. Katumba says the total budget released was UGX 20,456.987bn (81.16%) against a total approved budget of UGX 25,204.420bn.

“Sector realized a budget shortfall of 18.84%,” he said on Friday as he presented successes of his ministry at the OPM.

But even with the budget fall, he said his ministry scored 80% implementation commitment.

Some of the achievements met during this time include;

27 road construction projects were completed, adding 1,584.9km to the paved national road network. This represents 78.2% achievement against the target of

2,025km.

820.6 km the national road network were rehabilitated surpassing the manifesto target of 700km by 120.6km. This represents 117.2% achievement.

17 out of the18 bridges mentioned in the Manifesto were completed (94% achieved). The remaining bridge (Kasozi bridge linking Ngoma to Buruli) is yet to be completed, he said.

60 out of the 112 bridges have been completed (24 on the National road and

36 on DUCAR networks)-53.8% achieved. This has been due to low funding levels.

Katumba said construction works on 46 bridges (41 on National network & 5 on the DUCAR network) are on-going at various stages of completion.

During the time, there was revival of the National Carrier to enhance tourism through improved regional and international connectivity into Uganda.

Also, there was increased the departure immigration counters from 6 to 11 and arrival immigration counters from 14 to 20 booths to reduce long queues at Entebbe airport.

Between 2016 and 2021, the ministry installed a modern Terminal Operations Control Center at the airport and a training facility at the UCAA Head office.

Upgraded the Air Traffic Control Radar and Airspace Management System, giving it an extended life span of 10 more years.

Redesigned Entebbe airport instrument flight procedures to meet the new ICAO requirement. In 2017 the Security Audit score was 81.8%.

On the Standard Gauge Railway, Katumba said negotiations are ongoing so as to get the best financial option from the EXIM Bank of China.

He said the ministry revamped MV Kaawa and it’s operational. MV Pamba is under rehabilitation (80% completed) while the rehabilitation of Mwanga and building a new ship to replace MV Kabalega awaits resources.

Challenges

Running costs and maintenance of road equipment annually costs 10bn. According to KAtumba, there is need for an increment in the budget for Regional Mechanical Workshops to adequately serve the Local Governments. Plus supervision vehicles for road equipment for Local Governments and road equipment for new districts, Municipalities and urban councils.

Other challenges are imbalance in budget between road development and road maintenance which breeds the risk of deteriorating the road assets developed. The annual road maintenance requirement is estimated at UGX 1,200.00bn, yet only UGX 527bn is provided in the budget.

According to Katumba, there is increased demand for new road development at the expense of maintenance of roads and road equipment.

The ministry is also faced with a challenge of inadequate counterpart funding for externally funded projects e.g. Bukasa Port, Tororo-Gulu railway line, several national road projects etc and delays in the procurement process; occasioned by administrative reviews and whistle blowers.