HALF YEAR PERFORMANCE FOR FY 2020/21

PRESS BRIEFING BY THE EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR

KYAMBOGO, KAMPALA

Wednesday 17TH FEBRUARY 2021

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1.0. INTRODUCTION

UNRA places emphasis on the provision of a technically sound, economically

justified, financially and environmentally sustainable road infrastructure. UNRA
embraces the principles of good governance, centering on transparent and
accountable practices. As such, while executing its mandate and in pursuit of the
national and sector overarching goals, the authority is required to fully account for all
resources it receives regularly, I wish to present the highlights of UNRA’s
performance for 2020/21 as follows:

2.0. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

UNRA receives funding, for its recurrent expenditure and development from
Government of Uganda (GoU) with the support of the Development Partners under
Vote 113. This is used mainly for the design, rehabilitation and improvement of the
paved roads and upgrading or construction of new roads.

In addition, UNRA receives funds from the Uganda Road Fund specifically for the
maintenance and operation of the National Road Network. The total approved
budget for FY 2020/21 was UGX 3.81 Trillion. Below is a summary of the funds
received by 31st December 2021 and the absorption:

Overview of Vote 113 - Budget Performance (UGX Billions)

 Budget Annual Q1+Q2 Q1+Q2 Unspent % % of
Component Budget Release Payments funds Budget Releases
Released Spent

Wage 71.11 35.55 34.42 1.14 50% 97%

Non-wage 32.55 19.92 17.37 2.55 61% 87%
Development: 1,758.21 945.79 843.23 102.56 54% 89%
GOU
Development: 1,643.99 1,012.86 874.48 138.38 62% 86%
EXT
Maintenance: 310.29 159.39 145.49 13.90 51% 91%
URF
GRAND TOTAL 0 0 0 0 57% 88%

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Vote Performance

2.1 Development

UNRA was appropriated a total of UGX 3,402.21 billion for development of the
national road network, with financing from the Government of Uganda (GoU)
consolidated fund in the amount of UGX 1,758.21 billion and External Financing in
the amount of UGX 1,643.99 billion for projects directly supported by the
Development Partners.

Development (GoU Financed)

89% (843.23 Bn) of the released Development GoU budget (UGX 945.79Bn) was
spent by 31st December, 2020. The cumulative cash limit amounting to UGX
1758.21Bn represents 54% of approved budget released.

UNRA’s failure to absorb 100% of the released funds is largely attributed to three
projects whose contracts were signed but the verification of their securities by BoU
was incomplete to enable UNRA make the payments. i.e., Kira-Matugga,
Najjanankumbi-Busabala and Masaka Town Roads.

Development (Externally Financed)

Out of UGX 1,643.99Bn approved annual External Development Budget for FY

2020/21, a cumulative total of UGX 1,012.86Bn was released by the end of the first
half of the FY, representing 62% of the appropriated budget. Out of the UGX
1,012.86Bn released, UGX 874.48Bn was spent, representing 86% of the releases
spent. The improvement in absorption is due to payments that were made for
Packages 1, 2 & 3 of Oil Roads.

2.2 Road Maintenance

The Uganda Road Fund provided an Indicative Planning Figure (IPF) of UGX
310.29bn for the National Road Maintenance Program including Axle Load and
Ferries for the FY 2020-21. As at end of Q2, UNRA had received UGX 159.39bn
representing 51% of the annual IPF, and spent 91% of the budget released as shown
in the Financial Performance table 3.

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 PHYSICAL PROGRESS

3.0. ROADS AND BRIDGES DEVELOPMENT

In its efforts to fulfil its mandate, UNRA continues to prioritise roads development and
is committed to ensuring that the targets in the National Development Plan are
achieved.

In this FY 2020/21, a number of multi-year projects will be completed. The major

activities to be undertaken include:

 Upgrading of roads from unpaved to paved bituminous standard

 Rehabilitating of the existing paved roads

 Construction of new Bridges

 Development of Ferries

The following road development projects were completed and commissioned by H.E
The President during the reporting period:

 Upgrading of Musiita – Lumino/ Busia – Majanji road project (104Km)

 Upgrading of Soroti – Katakwi - Akisim – Moroto (150.3Km)

 Upgrading of Bumbobi – Lwhakhakha (44.5Km)

 Upgrading of Kashenyi – Mitooma (11.53Km) and Kitabi Seminary Access

Road (0.8Km)

 Rehabilitation of Kyenjojo – Fort Portal (50Km)

 Upgrading of Mubende – Kakumiro – Kagadi road (107km)

 Upgrading of Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi/Nyenga - Njeru (84km)

 Rehabilitation of Ishaka – Rugazi – Katunguru (58Km)

 Upgrading of Ntungamo – Mirama road (37Km)

 Upgrading of Mpigi – Kanoni (65Km) - Kanoni – Sembabule and Sembabule

– Villa Maria (110kms)

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Ground-breaking ceremonies were carried out for the projects whose contracts were
procured for implementation:

 Rehabilitation of Masaka town roads

 Lot1: Upgrading of Rwenkunya – Apac (90.9Km)

 Lot 2: Upgrading of Apac - Lira – Puranga (100.1Km)

 Muyembe – Nakapiripirit (92Km)

 Hoima town roads

 Construction of Busega - Mpigi Expressway (23.7Km)

 Upgrading of Kira – Kasangati – Matugga road and improvement of 5 No.

junctions (21Km)

 Upgrading of Najjanankumbi – Busabala road (11Km), Munyonyo Spur

Interchange and Service Roads (17Km)

 Upgrading of Moroto – Lokitanyala (42Km)

 Rehabilitation of Mityana – Mubende road (86Km) and Mityana Town roads

(14Km)

Also the Contract for Civil Works for the Construction of Nagongera – Busolwe -
Busaba Road (5Km) Project from gravel to Bituminous Low Volume Sealed Road.

The ground-breaking ceremony is an important event that signifies the beginning

of implementation of a project, but implementation does not only cover the physical
or visible activities of a project; It includes a number of preparatory activities that may
sometimes take months, before any physical activities could be seen on ground.
These may include:

 Design or a review of the design;

 Identification of the source of materials;

 obtaining of statutory clearances or approvals before any work can

commence, such as NEMA certification, Ministry of Labour to gazette a
workplace etc.,

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  Mobilisation of resources – Human, equipment, establishment of serviced
accommodation, workplaces and campsites etc.,

 Availability of Right of Way (Unencumbered land)

 A review of the work-programme to take account of any changes to

assumptions made during the bidding and any new findings.

The time it takes to witness physical commencement may depend on the scope of
works, how the particular project was procured, its location etc. For instance if it is a
rehabilitation project, some activities above may not be undertaken; if a project was
procured as a Design and Build, such as Kira-Kasangati and Najjanankumbi-
Busabala, the contractor will take at least 6 months to complete the design, get it
approved before commencing construction. A project whose design is readily
available will commence much quicker. Also if a project is located in an urban or eco-
sensitive environment, the acquisition of land is often more complex and lengthier
than those in the rural undeveloped areas. So, a lot of work is going on, even when
you don’t see graders on ground for some projects yet. I hope this allays the fears of
those whose projects were ground-broken in Dec 2020 - Jan 2021. I can assure you
that works will be visible on ground in this or the next FY.

3.1 Road Upgrading

UNRA is currently upgrading 26 road development projects (new construction and

upgrading from unpaved to paved bituminous standards) covering a total distance
1,764.4 Km (see table 2 below). Over the last 6 months (July-Dec 2020), 192km
equivalent were achieved against the annual target of 400Km equivalent, which
represents a half year achievement of 48%. The target is to increase the paved road
stock by 281km.

The table below shows percentage progress of road development projects as of end
of December 2020.

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 Table 21: Percentage progress of ongoing road development projects

% Progress June 2020

% Progress December
% Half-year output

Km-Equiv Added
(Km) Length

2020
S/N Project Name

1. Kampala Northern Bypass 17.5 72.9 9.6 82.5 1.68

Phase 2
2. Kigumba – Bulima 69 51.3 21.4 72.7 9.453
3. Tirinyi – Pallisa - Kumi 67 75.6 10.7 86.3 7.17
4. Pallisa - Kamonkoli 44 65.8 22.6 88.4 9.94
5. Package 1: Masindi Park 159 47.1 23.83 70.93 37.87
Junction and Tangi Junction-
Para-Bulisa
6. Package 2: Hoima – Butiaba - 111 57 14.96 71.96 16.61
Wanseko Road
7. Package 3: Buhimba – Nalweyo - 93 40.1 8.5 48.6 7.91
Bulamagi & Bulamagi – Igayaza -
Kakumiro
8. Package 5: Masindi-Biiso, Hohwa 97 5.35 6.26 11.61 6.07
– Nyairongo – Kyarusheesha -
Butoole, And Kabaale -
Kiziranfumbi (97km)
9. Kapchorwa - Suam 73 17.3 10.4 27.7 7.62
10. Kitala - Gerenge 10 43.8 18.2 62 1.82
11. Masaka - Bukakata 41 30.8 44.8 75.6 18.36
12. Rukungiri – Kihihi - Ishasha/ 78.5 19.2 14 33.2 10.96
Kanungu
13. Busega - Mpigi Expressway 23.7 0.4 0.1 0.5 0.02
14. Muyembe – Nakapiripirit and 117 - - - -
Service Roads
15. Atiak – Laropi 66 - 14 14 9.24
16. Rwenkunye – Apac (Lot 1) 90.9 - - -
17. Apac – Lira – Puranga (Lot 2) 100.1 - - - -
18. Kira - Matugga road and 21 - - - -
improvement of 5 No. junctions
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Table 3 does not include projects that were substantially complete as of end of FY 2019/20.

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 % Progress June 2020

% Progress December
% Half-year output

Km-Equiv Added
(Km) Length

2020
S/N Project Name

19. Najjanakumbi – Busabala and 28 - - - -

Service Roads
20. Soroti-Katakwi-Akisim 100 96.75 1.75 98.5 1.75

21. Bumbobi - Lwakhakha 44.5 83.84 13.56 97.4 6.03

22. Mubende-Kakumiro-Kagadi Road 107 91.36 8.04 99.4 8.6

23. Kyenjojo-Kabwoya 100 83.5 9.80 93.3 9.8

24. Bulima- Kabwoya 66 91.8 6.10 97.9 4.03

25. Selected Town Roads (20.2km) 20.2 30.88 54.42 85.3 10.99
In Mbarara Municipality
26. Mpigi Town Roads 20 45.02 29.58 74.6 5.92

TOTAL 1,764.   191.84

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Five (5) road projects are on track to be substantially completed by end of June
2021, adding 280.5km to the paved road network. The progress of the road projects
is shown in the table 3 below:

Table 3: Projects to be completed by end of June 2021

S/N Project Name Length(Km Progress as Progress as of

) of June 2020 December 2020

1 Kampala Northern Bypass 17.5 72.92% 82.5%

2 Tirinyi – Pallisa - Kumi 67 75.56% 86.3%
3 Pallisa - Kamonkoli 44 65.80% 88.40
4 Masaka - Bukakata 41 30.8% 75.6%
5 Hoima – Butiaba - Wanseko 111 57% 72%

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 TOTAL 280.5

Town Roads

In addition, UNRA is upgrading 124km of town roads within various towns and
municipalities which are not part of the national road network, as part of the national
roads development programme and the following are scheduled to be completed this
FY:

 Bulima-Kabwoya town roads (3km)

 Bumbobi-Lwakhakha town roads (5.8km)

 Kyenjojo-Kabwoya town roads (11km)

 Olwiyo-Gulu town roads (10km)

 Soroti-Akisim town roads (26.2km)

 Mubende-Kakumiro-Kagadi town roads (24km)

 Mpigi town roads (20km)

 Mbarara town roads (20km)

3.2 Road Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

During reporting period, Rehabilitation/ reconstruction of 228.3 Km of the national

roads, that have reached their service life continued and are at different advanced
stages.

Table 4: percentage progress of road rehabilitation project as at end of

December 2020

No. Project Length % Progress as % Progress as

(KM) of June 2020 of Dec 2020

1 Nakalama –Tirinyi - Mbale (102km) 102 77 100 

2 Namunsi - Sironko - Muyembe - 29 3.12 23
Kapchorwa Phase II (29Km)

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 3 Fort Portal - Hima (55km) 55 52 98
4 Hima - Katunguru Phase II (29Km) 29 - -
5 Buddo and Nabingo access Roads 6 4.31 64.14
(6Km)
6 Masaka town roads (7.3Km) 7.3 - 2
Total 228.3

During the reporting period, 34.7Km equivalent was achieved out of the annual
target of 228Km equiv. Two road rehabilitation projects, that is, Nakalama -Tirinyi -
Mbale (102km) and Fort Portal - Hima (55km) were substantially complete during the
reporting period.

3.3 Structures/Bridges Development

During reporting period, UNRA continued to work on 56 bridges whose progress is at

different stages. During the first half of 2020/21, nine (9) bridges out of fifteen (15)
planned for completion, are substantially complete while four are also on track to
attain substantial completion by the end of the FY.

Table 5: Percentage progress of Bridge development projects to be completed

during FY 2020/21

S/N Project No. of District Q2 Progress

Bridges

1 Ayugi Bridge on Atiak-Adjumani- 1 Amuru 95.6%

Moyo-Yumbe - Manibe Road
2 Ceri and Opio Bridges on Pakele - 2 Amuru 96%
Pabbo Road
3 Adidi Bridge on Pakele - Pabbo Road 1 Adjumani 96%
4 Mpondwe Bridge on DRC border 1 Kasese 99%
Road
5 Mpanga-6 Bridge on Kamwenge - 1 Kamwenge 93%
Kabambiro Road
6 Ajeleik along Amuria – Adwa – Usuk - 1 Amuria 51.32%
Katakwi Road
7 Aji Bridge on Ullepi - Offaka Road 1 Madi-Okollo 100%
8 Ora-1 1 Pakwach 100%
9 Awa 1 Madi-Okollo 80.27%

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 10 Olemika Bridge on Pakwach – Inde - 1 Arua 80%
Ocoko Road
11 Awoo Bridge on Bobi - Ayer Road 1 Omoro 96%
12 Nariamabune Bridge on Kaabong - 1 Kaabong 97%
Kapedo Road
13 Chololo Bridge on Chosan - Amudat 1 Nakapiripirit 21%
Road
14 Isimba Public Bridge & Access Roads 1 Kayunga 93.4%
  Total 15  

4.0. ROAD MAINTANANCE AND OPERATIONS

4.1 Road Maintenance

Despite the heavy and long rains experienced during the period July-December
2020, UNRA endeavoured to maintain a big percentage of the network in fair to good
motorable condition. Carried out Routine (Manual and Mechanised) as well as
periodic maintenance of roads. Government was able to deliver the much needed
services to all communities even during the lockdown.

Interventions on the Kampala-Jinja Road

Spot maintenance of 3.5km sections which had failed, along Banda-Seeta road was
completed in April 2020

UNRA is now procuring a maintenance contract for the Nakawa-Njeru (72km).

Periodic maintenance and rehabilitation of some failed sections will depend on the
specific technical needs. The contractor is expected to be on site by end of March
2021.

This should restore the pavement to a state that allows UNRA’s medium and long
term plans (KJE) which are intended to increase capacity, to be finalized and
implemented.

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Interventions on the Lira-Kamdin Road (under the NERAMP)

Reconstruction of this section of the road was packaged under the World Bank
financed NERAMP which was structured to have rehabilitation and maintenance
interventions for a period of 8.5 years. However, the project was affected by a
suspension by the World Bank, during the procurement phase which lasted 18
months, due to non-compliances to social aspects on another World Bank funded
project, the Fortportal-Kamwenge road project.

The contract was eventually signed on 27th June 2018 with M/S Mota-Engil
Engeharia E Construcao Africa, SA. However, the revision of the conditions for social
safeguards within the contract by the World Bank led to a delay in commencement
and the start date for activities was set for 12th December 2018.

During implementation of the contract, the contractor has continued to contravene

the requirements of the World Bank for social safeguards management, which has
led to suspension of works. With the Lira-Kamdini as part of the bigger commitments
Government made with the development partner, and with the contractor through the
civil works contract, it has become difficult for UNRA to budget for and implement
any interventions. UNRA is therefore working closely with all the key stakeholders to
ensure that all outstanding challenges are overcome urgently so that the contractor
can commence the reconstruction of this critical road section as a priority.

4.2 Axle Load Control

A total number of 805,418 vehicles were weighed in the last 6 months and 26,825
(3.3%) were found to be overloaded. There was therefore a decrease, from 3.4% as
at June 2020 to 3.3% as at December 2020, of vehicle weighed and found to be
overloaded.

Nine (09) weigh stations were operational, with an average availability of 88.2%
against an annual target of 95%. UNRA is also undertaking a number of
interventions to improve the function of axle load control on the national road
network.

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4.3 Ferry Services

UNRA has a total fleet of 11 ferries along the National Road Network that were
operational during the reporting period, with an average level of compliance to
published ferries schedules of 89% against an annual target of 95%. The Percentage
average Ferry availability was 72.1% against an annual target of 96%. Rising water
levels have affected landing sites and the Ferry Operations hence the above
performance against the set target.

In the last FY 2019/20, Sigulu Ferry that will connect Namayingo district to the
Islands of Lolwe & Sigulu completed. The ferry was commissioned by H.E the
President of the Republic of Uganda on 3rd December 2020 and began operations
on 4th December 2020.

The Hon. Minister of Works and Transport also commissioned the rehabilitated
former Bukakata Ferry into operation on 24 July 2020. This is the new MV Buvuma.

Tolling of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway

The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway (KEE) was commissioned by H.E the President

in June 2018. The investment in the road was premised on the bigger plans of
Government providing alternative faster road service at a premium fee, through an
expressway network. The first of this was the KEE. However collection of a toll
requires: i) an enabling legal framework, which was put in place by Parliament in
2020; and ii) an Operator to see the efficient management and maintenance of the
road assets while ensuring that they are able to return on the investment through
collection of tolls. Whereas the procurement of this provider was severely interrupted
by the procurement administrative reviews which led to a delay of over a year, I am
happy to report that the contract with the KEE O&M provider received the
clearance of the Solicitor General on Thur 11 th February 2021. The contract shall
be signed to allow the provider to start mobilisation, sensitisation of the public and
implementation, all by the end of this FY.

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5.0. PROCUREMENT

5.1 Local Content & Reservations

By end of Quarter 2 (December 2020), 39.5% of signed contracts worth UGX 839.7
bn/= were awarded to local providers through applications of the local content
reservation schemes, accreditations for construction materials and margins of
preferences in favour of the local and resident providers. The details are provided in
the Table below

Table 6: Status of Local Content by value and % sub-contracted

Reservations for Local & National Contract awarded

Category
Providers to Foreign Firms

By threshold By 30%
Subcontracting
with local content
Works 725,998,878,933 16,172,367,908 1,292,943,019,978.90
Supplies and Non-consulting 76,787,979,395.36 0 198,409,838.00
Services
Services 9,303,811,718.60 0 10,639,658,408.00
Delegated – Headquarters 924,808,652 0 0
Delegated - Central 3,610,734,069 0 0
Delegated – Southern 561,724,638 0 0
Delegated – Western 606,400,751 0 0
Delegated – Northern 899,201,872 0 0
Delegated – Eastern 329,549,384 0 0
Delegated - North Eastern 966,165,922 0 0

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Delegated - Construction Unit 3,607,989,479 0 0
Sub – Totals 823,597,244,812 16,172,367,908.41 1,303,781,088,225
Total local firm with 30% 839,769,612,720.634 1,287,608,720,316.49
subcontracting
TOTAL AMOUNTS 839,769,612,720.63 1,287,608,720,316.49
As a percentage of the total 39.5% 60.5%
contract signed

6.0. NETWORK PLANNING & ENGINEERING

During the first half of FY 2020/21, six (6) Development Projects have been designed
and are ready for financing and implementation. This represents 85.7% against the
annual target of seven (7) development projects. The table below highlights the
projects designed in this half year period.

The in-house design team is undertaking a number of feasibility studies and designs
for the rehabilitation roads as well as for the weigh station sites.

Table 7: Projects under design

PROJECT

Feasibility study and Detailed Engineering Design of 624.8 Km of roads by external

consultants
Lot 1: Kumi – Ngora – Serere - Kagwara (95Km),
Lot 2: Mayuge – Mbaale - Nakivumbi – Bugiri – Namayingo - Lugaala (95Km),
Lot 3: Kyenjojo (Kahunge) - Nyarukoma – Kigarale – Rwamwanja – Kiruhura (97Km)
Lot 4: Muhanga – Kisiizi - Rwashamaire (78.8Km)
Karenga – Kapedo - Kaabong (73Km)
Kazo – Buremba – Kabagole - Kyeggegwa Road (82km)
Muko - Katuna and Muko - Kamuganguzi (104km)
Kampala Flyover Upgrading and Construction Project Phase 2
Feasibility study and Detailed Engineering design for Upgrading of Lira-Abim
road(125Km)
Bridge Works: Design and Supervision
Engineering Design of Semliki Bridge
Engineering Design of Laropi Bridge

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Kampala-Jinja Expressway (KJE)
The preparation for the Kampala-Jinja Expressway project as a PPP is now
complete. UNRA is awaiting final clearance and guidance from Government before
going to tender.

7.0. CHALLENGES DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE

YEAR

I. The Covid-19 pandemic greatly affected UNRA’s ability to achieve the set
targets. Several of UNRA’s activities such as road construction were affected
by the lockdown and partial lockdown during the period. Activities such as
procurement and land acquisition were halted while essential services and
projects continued to be implemented under very strict Standard Operating
Procedures (SoPs). The result of this has been a delay in progress.

In order to address this, Management put in place a Business Continuity

Management Plan, which has helped the organisation to continue to provide
its services in the safest way.

II. The heavy and long rainy season resulted in:

• the slow progress of the construction projects;

• Several cut-offs which required emergency interventions to
reinstate the road sections and ferry landing sites;
• The rapid deterioration of the condition of the roads, reducing the
service level and increasing the urgent need for periodic
maintenance and rehabilitation of some road sections;
• Rising Water levels which affected Ferry Operations by submerging
the Ferry Landing sites and their access roads.
III. Inadequate funding for land acquisition to enable the entity secure the Right of
Way ahead of the construction projects, especially those identified in the
NDPIII.

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8.0. CONCLUSIONS

Government, with its Development Partners, continues to invest significantly in

providing a good road network. UNRA is doing its best to ensure that the resources
allocated are efficiently utilised and that there is Value for Money from the investment
and for all stakeholders. Management has endeavoured to put in place several
initiatives that have helped in improving its operational efficiency, improving
transparency and accountability (as evidenced by the recent Assurance assessment
by CoST) in delivering the road development and maintenance programme to-date.
UNRA has also put engagement of the indigenous local providers at the forefront of
its strategic procurement plan in pursuit of BUBU as we have seen in the report.

Management recognises and is appreciative of the Board, the sector leadership that
has continued to be supportive in achieving these results. We call upon other
stakeholders who have a direct influence on the road development and maintenance
programme to support our efforts that are geared to promote effective service
delivery.

I thank you!

Allen C. Kagina

Executive Director

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