INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EAST AFRICA

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTEMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Group Assignment

Course Unit: CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY (BCE 3204)

GROUPS (6) MEMBERS

2021

Q1: Discuss construction limitations in Uganda’s rural and urban areas?

 Limited capacity
The key respondents to this study, in particular the Uganda National Association of Building and
Civil Engineering Contractors, were concerned about the extreme capacity constraints faced by
the domestic construction industry. As a result, most of the big construction projects are
reportedly being carried out by a handful of international firms. Only a small percentage of the
local firms are able to compete successfully, or work on joint-venture basis with international
firms.
 Limited access to credit
Limited access to credit and loan facilities is identified as a fundamental weakness for Uganda’s
construction industry, requiring specific measures in the draft National Construction Industry
Policy. The draft policy states that the industry has a critical need for short-term bridging finance
for project implementation and long-term capital to cover the cost of business establishment and
growth, which are turning into a serious barrier to the capacity development of private
construction and consulting firms
 Lack of access to equipment
One of the biggest issues within the industry in general and in the road sector in particular is
access to equipment. In 1994 the Government commissioned a study to determine the feasibility
of establishing a plant hire pool as a way of supporting the industry, initially starting with road
construction and maintenance, and subsequently, to support the entire industry.
 Weak regulatory and business support institutions
The Uganda Association of Consulting Engineers highlighted its frustration with the small
number of registered consulting firms or consultants, compared with the net demand for design
and supervision of construction projects.
 A weak regulatory framework and the delayed enactment of the Building Control Bill
The weak regulatory framework in the construction sector is one of the fundamental weaknesses
in the sector demanding immediate attention. There is a consensus that the Public Health Act is
too generic and out of date to address the sector’s special needs.
 Building control regulations
In addition to the Building Control Bill, the Uganda Society of Architects proposed the adoption
of the Building Control Regulations developed by the Ministry of Works and Transport in 2004
as part of a more comprehensive regulatory review
 Tendering
Respondents to this study were unanimous about the effect of the lack of an agreed approach to
tendering and procurement of construction and engineering services.
Q2: What are the appropriate solutions to the identified limitations.
 Improve domestic construction industry capacity
 Facilitate access to credit
 Facilitate access to equipment
 Improve regulatory and business support institutions
 Improve regulatory framework and the enactment of the Building Control Bill
 Improve Building control regulations
 Work on Tendering