President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) Executive Director Allen Kagina to hand road construction projects to various Chinese firms without undergoing competitive bidding.
As per the law, any company that wants to render services to the public under government docket must undergo bidding and the winner is given a contract. After that government gives that company a certificate of due diligence.
However, to the President, such law seems irrelevant elevant because in various letters dated 29th July 2021, and 7th July 2021, seen by this website, Museveni asks Kagina to give contracts to chinese road construction firms which include; Zhongmei Engineering Group, Ashok Buildcon Limited, China Communication Construction Company Limited, Chongqing International Construction Company.
The President further pens that these Chinese firms have completed various projects in Uganda and they should be awarded contracts.
“This is therefore to direct you to enter into agreement with this company to design and build since it is National development plan three,” Museveni said in a letter to the second Zhongmei Engineering Group.
In his letter dated 15th May 2021 Zhongmei Engineering Group will construct a 37KM road from Kanoni-Misingi-Mityana.
“This is a Chinese company which has financed and completed many roads in Uganda. This is therefore to direct you enter into this company to design and build this road since it’s in NDP III. It must be agreed that it will be paid in quarterly instalments from the second year of execution.”
Ashok Buildcon Limited will handle three road projects; Mpigi-Kibibi-Mityana (60kms), Kanungu – Hamurwa (47kms) and Butogota-Buhoma (32kms).
“It should be agreed that the government of Uganda pays them through budgetary Appropriation in quarterly instalments from the second year of execution,” Museveni directed.
The third one is Chongqing International Construction Company (CICO) which will work on Kabwohe-Kitagata-Rukungiri road (65.7km), Misindye- Kabimbiri- Zirobwe-Wobulenzi-Kapeeka (138 KM). Under this project, the government will provide budgetary appropriation in quarterly instalments from the third year of execution.
“This is to therefore direct you to enter the agreement with CICO to pre-finance them and ensure that the right government procedures are taken. The government of Uganda will provide budgetary appropriations in quarterly instalments from the third year of execution,” reads a letter dated 21st June 2021.
Also, in a letter date 21 June 2021, President Museveni ordered Kagina to give the contract to China Communication Construction Co. LTD (CCCC). CCCC is to pre-finance the construction and building of Pakwach-Karuma road and Pakwach Bridge, Kisubi-Nakawuka-Natete/ Nakawuka-Kasanje-Mpigi/ Nakawuka-Mawugulu-Nanziga-Maya/Kasanje-Buwaya. Nakasero-Northern Bypass Express VVIP road.
He also ordered that government will provide budgetary appropriations in quarterly instalments from the third year of execution.
This has since brought an uproar among citizens and some political critics have since blamed the president for making directives without a legislative arm
