Construction monitoring and supervision of Kabaale-Kiziranfumbi road section (25Km)

Abstract

This Project Report describes the author's involvement during the Construction Monitoring and Supervision of Kabaale-Kiziramfumbi road section (25km). The main project objective was to upgrade the existing gravel road to a class II bituminous paved standard, to increase mobility, reduce road user costs, and improve the level of service of the road. The road is funded by Government of Uganda and the EXIM bank of China where by GOU covers 20% and EXIM bank covers 80%. The Project cost is UGX 595,736,808,038- Revised (Including 18% VAT) for the construction under Design and Build Contract of Masindi-Biiso (47Km), Kabaale–Kiziranfumbi (25Km) and Hohwa–Nyairongo–Kyarushesha–Butole (25Km) roads totaling to 97Km under Package 5 of Critical oil roads. The Construction Works Contract was signed between UNRA and the Contractor China Railway Seventh Group Co. Ltd (CRSG) on 26th March 2019 and commencement date for the Works Contract was 25th April 2019, for duration of 36 months and 24 months of Defects Liability Period. The revised contract period including EOT No. 02 to No. 07 and the original completion date was 27th, April 2022. The revised Time for Completion including EOT No. 02 to No. 12 is 2594 days. The last EOT granted to the Contractor was the EOT of 101 days granted in May 2026 under EOT Claim No. 12 that brought the revised completion date of the project from 20th February 2026 to 1st June 2026 The road is a class II, paved with Asphalt Concrete, with a right of way of 50m and a design speed of 70km/hr in rural and 50km/hr in urban areas. The design life of the road is estimated at 20 years. The carriage way width is at 7m (2lanes/3.5m each from center), with a minimum cross fall of 2.5% to provide for adequate drainage of water from the carriage way and complies with the design standards. The works will also include drainage works, includeding adequate road side drainage (concrete and stone pitching), cross culverts, road furniture and speed calming measures in Trading Centers associated preliminary works (road marking and installation of sign posts), Environmental, Health and Safety concerns. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) awarded a contract for the Consultancy Services for Construction Supervision to Net Consult Consulting Engineers and Architects Plc. (Ethiopia) in Joint Venture with Stadia Engineering Works Consult Plc.(Ethiopia) and KKATT Consult Ltd. (Uganda) and the services commenced on 3rd May 2019. The original completion date for Consultancy Services Construction Supervision was 02nd May 2022. The amount of service is UGX 12,641,454,625 (Uganda Shillings), Inclusive of 18% VAT and Other Taxes. The revised completion period expired on 31st July 2023, the services contract was later extended and completed on 8th November 2025 after which the Ministry of Works and Transport Construction Supervision Unit (MoWT-CSU) took over supervision of the works from 9th November, 2025. The Author was attached on the project as a Graduate Engineer resident on site working hand in hand with the supervision consultant under the guidance and supervision of the Employers Project Engineer. I routinely supervised monitored the construction activities works in line with standards and specifications and project plans to ensure full compliance with all contractual requirements. I participated in most project activities and handled also specific tasks assigned by the project Engineer and Contract Manager concerning Design, site management and Construction Supervision. During the construction stage of the project, I participated in resource monitoring and control, quality management, compilation of quantity of work delivered by the contractor, reviewing the contractor’s work program, IPCs and Environmental, Social and Safety safeguards. The major challenges encountered on this project included the followings; Delayed handover of the entire project site to the Contractor due to land compensation challenges in some sections; This was mitigated through the continuous engagement of landlords to allow access to the Contractor as the employer was resolving compensation issues; and appropriately planning for activities and maximize production on the available work sections. Abnormal rains that frequently interfered with the work; Which was mitigated by re-programming for major works to be executed during the dry season and advising the contractor to protect all the finished sections from being washed away by heavy rains. Delayed payments to the contractor which affected the contractor’s cash flows; This was mitigated by preparing cash flow projections in addition to advising management to prioritize payment in a bid to avoid financing charges by the Contractor. Inadequate equipment mobilisation by the contractor and absence of an Updated Work Program agreed upon by the parties to the contract; and was mitigated by revising a realistic work program based on EOT granted with increased resources and catch-up plan. Slow progress of CRR aggregate crushing for Kabaale- Kiziranfumbi section; which was mitigated by increasing productivity with additional resource inputs. Failure by the contractor to construct the base course layer as specified (sections of work are reworked more than 3 times before they are completed); this was mitigated by conducting regular (weekly) site inspections and technical meetings by the project Management team to closely monitor the construction works on regular basis and identify risks and develop mitigation measures timely; and ensure compliance with specifications and standards. In the course of the project monitoring, I also learnt that conducting regular (weekly) technical meetings is key during the project execution as it helps to closely monitor the construction works on regular basis and identify risks timely and developed mitigation measures timely. I learnt that it’s paramount to have land available in advance of the commencement of civil works. I have learnt that continuous engagements of stakeholders and PAPS are vital to successful project delivery as it update them on the progress of the compensation, grievances redress mechanism, improvement of communication channel, reduce misinformation and keep them updated about the project risk, time and progress. I also learnt that having the revised work program and issuing a timely instruction to the contractor saves on the delays leading to avoiding time and cost overruns. During the project monitoring, I have acquired the following skills; identifying risk and seeking mitigation measures at early stage, Stakeholders’ management, site management skills and techniques, Construction supervision for road construction works, Reporting and documentation, improved communication skills and management of cross cutting issues. Basing on the lessons learnt, I recommend that advance planning should be done on the proposed projects so that the right of way required can be obtained, thus will reduce on the cost overruns that come in claims and extension of time. In conclusion, the construction of the Kabaale-Kiziranfumbi road project (25Km) was successfully executed in accordance with the contract requirements; and was substantially completed and is now opened for traffic.