By Frank Kamuntu
The Minister of State for Works, Musa Ecweru, has acknowledged that Dott Services Limited is facing challenges in executing several road projects, despite the government having allocated sufficient resources for these initiatives.
Speaking during the plenary session on August 14, 2024, Ecweru responded to concerns raised by Allan Mayanja, MP for Nakaseke Central, regarding the delayed completion of the 29-kilometer Luwero-Kiwoko-Butalangu Road, a project valued at UGX 93 billion.
Ecweru stated, “The truth is, Dott Services was tasked with this road project, but it seems they are encountering difficulties that they have not yet communicated to us, their supervisors. Despite having the necessary funds, their progress has been unsatisfactory. I have instructed the supervising engineers to provide a report on the causes of these delays and to explore potential solutions if the company is indeed struggling.”
Mayanja had earlier demanded an explanation from the government for the delays, pointing out that the funding for the road was secured through a loan from the Islamic Development Bank in 2017. He also highlighted the negative impact on local residents, some of whom have yet to receive compensation for land acquired for the project.
“This UGX 93 billion project, funded by a loan from the Islamic Development Bank, has stalled, and the affected residents along the Luwero-Kiwoko-Butalangu Road are increasingly frustrated. Many of the Project Affected Persons have not been compensated. We need the government to clarify these delays, as they are having serious consequences for the people,” Mayanja asserted.
Dott Services Limited has frequently been the subject of parliamentary debate, with several MPs questioning why the company continues to secure lucrative contracts despite allegations of substandard work. The company’s name has become synonymous with controversy in Parliament, often eliciting strong reactions from lawmakers.
A notable instance occurred in November 2020 when members of Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee objected to the government’s decision to award the Uganda-DRC road construction contract to Dott Services. MPs cited the company’s poor track record, including shoddy work on the Mbale-Soroti and Tirinyi roads, warning that such associations could damage Uganda’s international reputation.
In response to these concerns, Works and Transport Minister Katumba Wamala confirmed that Dott Services had indeed been awarded the DRC roads project. However, he explained that the selection was made by the DRC government, with Uganda contributing only 20% of the total project cost, amounting to UGX 247.626 billion.
Dott Services’ troubled history with Parliament dates back to October 2016 when the company petitioned Parliament, alleging unfair treatment by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). The company sought to clear its name, claiming it had developed significant expertise in the construction industry.
However, MPs strongly opposed even considering the petition, recalling that the 9th Parliament had previously blacklisted Dott Services for substandard work, deeming any further discussion unnecessary.
According to the company’s website, Dott Services has completed several major road projects in Uganda and Tanzania. In Uganda, these include the Shaka-Kagamba Road (35.4 km), Jinja-Kamuli Road (58 km), and Kafu-Masindi Road (45 km).
In Tanzania, the company has worked on the Korogwe-Mkumbara-Same Road, Mkumbara-Same Road (96 km), Mtwara-Mnivata Road (50 km), Rombo Mkuu-Tarakea Road (32 km), and Marangu-Kilacha-Rombo Road (33 km).
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