Tororo-Kamdini roadworks delayed over contractor woes

Work to rehabilitate the 340Km Tororo-Kamdini highway have been delayed after residents of Merok Parish, Katine Sub-county in Soroti District reportedly wrote to the World Bank raising complaints against the contractor.

The project, which was scheduled to commence last year, is expected to be funded by the World Bank at a cost of €138 million (about Shs647b).

Mr Mark Sali, the head of Corporate Communications at Uganda National Roads Authority at Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), said the World Bank halted plans to disburse the funds after the contractor Mota Engil, a Portuguese company, was accused of failing to comply with the rules and regulations.

Mr Ssali said there are some concerns on compliance with environmental and social safeguards which delayed works.

He added that the works will start after seeking clearance from the World Bank.

On May 21, Ms Allen Kagina, the Unra executive director, visited Soroti on what they termed as a conflict resolution trip aimed at reconciling residents and the company.

In a closed-door meeting, Ms Kagina reportedly said the locals wrote to World Bank protesting mode of payment for their community rock.

This newspaper has not seen the letter. Residents also reportedly accuse the contractor of sexual harassment.
Mr Wilberforce Tukei, the Resident District Commissioner, said the district administration was not aware of the woes.

“The problem is that the contractor and UNRA officers did not involve the leadership structures. That is why they had issues,” Mr Tukei said.

Mr George Michael Egunyu, the district chairperson, said the contractor rushed to the field and secretly negotiated a deal after identifying the rock.

When contacted, Mr Jose Dinis, the company’s project manager, referred Daily Monitor to Unra, saying the accusations can be best answered by the roads agency.
Mr Moses Eroju Emugu, the LC3 chairperson, denied allegations of sexual harassment.

“We heard that there was a man who said it happened but no one is coming out to pin the contractor,” Mr Emugu said.

In July last year, Mr Dias Da Costa Damingos Joaquim, a human resource manager of Mota Engil, was arrested over allegations of attempted sexual harassment.

Soroti Grade One Magistrate’s Court remanded Mr Domingos to Soroti prison on charges of sexual harassment. He was later released on bail and deported to Portugal.

Alleged
Meeting
In a closed-door meeting, Ms Allen Kagina reportedly said the locals wrote to World Bank protesting mode of payment for their community rock. This newspaper has not seen the letter. Residents also accuse the contractor of sexual harassment.