Mbarara City saves Shs 3 billion on two road projects
MBARARA CITY, January 30, 2025 – Mbarara City Council has saved a total of Shs 3 billion on two road contracts. This was revealed recently after councillors petitioned the Office of the Town Clerk, seeking clarification about uncommitted funds amounting to Shs 4.2 billion, among other issues.
Speaking to councillors on Friday, Assy Abirebe Tumwesigire, the outgoing Mbarara City Town Clerk, confirmed that the city received approximately Shs 73.810 billion in the financial year 2019/2020 but was able to utilise only Shs 69.510 billion under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development [USMID] project, which is implemented across the country.
“There are outstanding commitments since the project began in the financial year 2019/2020. When you subtract Shs 69.510 billion from Shs 73.810 billion, you get a balance of around Shs 4.270 billion, including savings of nearly Shs 3 billion. It is unusual for a public project to be completed and still have savings remaining,” he explained.
According to Tumwesigire, savings of Shs 1,971,168,103 were realised from road works on Victor Bwana Road, Galt, and Stanley roads, undertaken by Multiplex Construction Company Ltd in a joint venture with DITACO. A further Shs 948,201,535 was saved from works on Lower Secular Road, Kyamugorani Road, Municipal Access Road, Mosque Road, and Ruharo Road.
He added that the city’s technical team plans to allocate the Shs 4.2 billion balance to the completion of Buremba Road, Ndahendekire Road, and the upgrading of street lighting, among other projects in the city.
Tumwesigire also mentioned that through arbitration, he had saved the city council from having to pay Shs 11 billion to Multiplex Construction Company Ltd over a contract extension period.
Meanwhile, Mbarara City Council is significantly indebted to road contractors, with a total debt of Shs 1.66 billion. This debt stems from the construction of the city laboratory block [Shs 124 million], repairs to the washrooms at the city council [Shs 124 million], the Nyamityobora staff house [Shs 37 million], the pit latrine at Biharwe Market [Shs 26 million], and other accumulated debts from various activities.
Eunice Asiimwe, the councillor representing women with disabilities [PWDs] in the city, challenged the technocrats to work together to ensure the city’s progress.
Catherine Kamwine, the Resident City Commissioner [RCC] of Mbarara City, urged both the political and technical leadership to improve service delivery.
“I will be disappointed if, again, Mbarara is ranked among the worst-performing cities in Uganda. I urge the technical team to ensure that, each financial year, we are properly assessed. The assessment should reflect the impact of the resources we receive. Why should Mbarara City not perform as well as other cities?” Kamwine explained.
She also cautioned councillors to avoid involving her in political disputes as the election season approaches. “As we approach the political season, please avoid hate speech. Being involved in politics does not mean you should speak ill of your opponents, because after the elections, we will still be living together. As the RCC, my role is to oversee security in the city, so please do not involve me in your local politics,” she advised.
https://thecooperator.news/igg-ag-disagree-on-paying-contractor-for-mbarara-kabale-roads/
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