NEWS- Authorities in Ntungamo District have ordered MUPA Technical Services to vacate the construction site at Kihanga Public Seed School due to significant delays in completing the project.
In a meeting held at Kihanga Seed School, district officials expressed concerns over the prolonged construction, which was originally scheduled for completion within 18 months but has been delayed since late 2019. Despite MUPA Technical Services requesting contract extensions three times, progress has stalled.
The UGX 2.078 billion contract included the construction of classrooms, laboratories, a multipurpose hall, a computer lab, and staff quarters. However, many of the structures remain unfinished, with some still not roofed and a minimal workforce present on site.
Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Isaiah Kanyamahane stated that reports will be prepared by the district engineer, a team from the Ministry of Education, and the contractor. These reports will outline the work completed so far and the remaining tasks, paving the way for the contractor to be paid before a new service provider is brought in to finish the project.
Chief Administrative Officer Mathius Ndifuna expressed frustration over the prolonged delays, stating that the district leadership, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, decided to remove the contractor to allow a technical team to assess and evaluate the completed work.
Acting District Education Officer Fred Bahati revealed that multiple attempts to engage the contractor to speed up the project had been unsuccessful.
Similarly, Acting District Engineer Charles Kusemererwa noted that the contract had expired and could not be renewed due to the contractor’s previous performance. He reiterated that the district, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, plans to assess the work done so far, pay off the contractor, and hire a new one to complete the project.
Patrick Mugyenyi, Managing Director of MUPA Technical Services Ltd., expressed his willingness to leave the site but attributed the delays to issues with payment.
