Risks related to poor infrastructure maintenance in urban local authorities in Uganda: A case study of Kamuli Municipality

Abstract

This study set out to explore the risks, nature and state of infrastructure maintenance in urban local authorities in Uganda with particular focus on Kamuli Municipality as a case study. It analysed the nature and state of existing infrastructure, the risks associated with poor infrastructure maintenance, challenges of infrastructure maintenance and interrogated respondents for possible strategies to address the challenges and the associated risks. The demand for infrastructure in Uganda’s urban local authorities continues to rise with growth in trade, urbanization and growing expectations for better quality of life and infrastructure services which makes investment in infrastructure indispensable. The study holistically focused on all infrastructure categories and the likely risky outcomes and established that infrastructure risk related to its poor maintenance is diverse and dependent on the nature/ type of infrastructure, designed life span/ age, operation and use but most importantly the frequency of refurbishment, rejuvenation or upgrade of such infrastructure through maintenance practices. The findings show different maintenance measures and practices. A descriptive research design based on a case study and adopting both qualitative and quantitative data was used. The researcher used a sample of 138 respondents selected using simple random sampling and purposive sampling. The questionnaire and interview schedule formed the major data collection instruments. Descriptive statistics provided the techniques of numerically and graphically presenting information while qualitative data was presented through content analysis. The study concluded that risks related to poor infrastructure maintenance are evident in urban local authorities in Uganda and therefore mechanisms to either deter risk occurrence or address prevailing risks must be embraced. Aspects ranging from providing annual budgets for infrastructure maintenance and prioritizing them, lobbying development partners, recruiting competent and adequate staff and facilitating enforcement staff, preparation of Physical Development Plans and adhering to their provisions, developing risk catalogues and management strategies to improving supervision and monitoring operation and use of infrastructure by relevant departments were established as key for infrastructure maintenance and better management of associated risk or cause its aversion.