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    The extent of design for disassembly practice in Uganda's construction Industry : a case of promoting circularity.
    (Makerere University, 2026) Mateka, Gilbert
    The construction industry and built environment are the largest consumers of raw materials and generators of waste globally, driven by the traditional linear "take, make, dispose" economic model (Cruz Rios & Grau, 2020). However, this model is being challenged by evolving demographic trends and societal changes, which are increasing pressure on virgin resources and building materials that are becoming increasingly scarce (Dimitra Tzourmakliotou, 2021). As a result, the industry's sustainability is being questioned, and there is need for alternative approaches to meet the changing demands. The research explored to establish why amongst the several interventions made to reduce Construction and Demolition waste, there has been limited application of a cardinal concept such as Design for Disassembly in Uganda’s industry. The study was exploratory in nature adopting a mixed research approach to achieve the research outcomes. The data was collected using a Structured Questionnaire from a population of 1650 professionals and with sample size of 322 professionals consisting of Architects, Engineers and Quantity Surveyors largely practicing within the jurisdiction of Central Region. The Quantitative data was analysed by inferential statistics techniques namely, Chi-Square test, Relative Importance Index (RII), while the qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis of responses obtained. The findings showed that awareness of DfD among Uganda’s professionals was generally moderate to low, regardless of years of experience or level of university education. This addressed Objective No. One. The Modular and Pre-fabricated construction were the major DfD techniques currently in use, while material labelling, deconstruction plans and reversible joints ranked lowest. This addressed Objective No. 2. The study showed that Legal / regulatory , technical and education barriers ranked strongest in hindering DfD uptake while the economic barriers ranked lowest , however emphasized the critical need to address education and perception barriers among stakeholders to spur significant growth of the DfD concept. This addresses Objective No. 3. Although general applicability of DfD principles is low, the study highlighted the high importance of embedding DfD in Uganda’s design regime.
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    Assessing the impact of scope creep and local skilled labour constraints on scheduled delays: a case study of the Safari 2 Apartments project, Hodan district, Mogadishu, Somalia.
    (Makerere University, 2026) Abdirahman, Dahir Ali
    Somalia’s construction projects are suffering major delays. Most construction projects take longer than planned. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of scope creep and local skilled labor constraints on schedule delays in the Safari 2 Apartments Project, a 17-story residential development in Hodan District, Mogadishu, Somalia. This study adopted a single-project case study investigation grounded in project documentation, site observation records, and established schedule analysis techniques. The study found a cumulative schedule overrun of 14.5 months, representing 40% overrun of the original 36-month planned duration. Three causes of delay were identified: scope creep (the addition of two floors beyond the original scope, 38% of the total project delay), workforce transition (a five-month work stoppage caused by a contractual breakdown between the main contractor and Turkish sub-contractor, a 34% of the total project delay), and external factors (comprising Mogadishu’s security challenges and low local construction labor productivity, a 28% of the total project delay. The study suggests that assigning an experienced and competent project management team, workforce training and development, effective project planning and scheduling, proactive risk management, technological integration, stakeholder communication and collaboration and engaging a consulting engineering firm are the corresponding mitigation mechanisms of delay for Somalia’s construction projects.
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    Construction monitoring and supervision of Kabaale-Kiziranfumbi road section (25Km)
    (Makerere University, 2026-08-13) Ongaya, Geoffrey
    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.
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    Arbitration as an effective mechanism for resolving land disputes in Uganda: a comparative Analysis
    (Makerere University, 2026) Pande, Norman
    Land disputes represent a critical challenge to property rights, social stability, and economic development in Uganda, affecting approximately 33% of landholding households and imposing estimated economic costs of 5–11% of agricultural Gross domestic product annually. Despite the existence of a comprehensive legal framework for arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act (Cap. 5), and arbitration's demonstrated effectiveness in Uganda's commercial, construction, and oil and gas sectors, its application to land dispute resolution remains minimal. This study investigated the structural and institutional barriers to arbitration adoption in land disputes and assessed arbitration's potential effectiveness as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism in Uganda. The study employed a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design, combining documentary analysis of legal frameworks, policy documents, and institutional reports with in-depth qualitative interviews, direct observation of dispute resolution proceedings, and a structured quantitative survey of 55 participants drawn from across Uganda's four major regions. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using NVivo 14, while quantitative data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using SPSS 28, including ANOVA, chi-square tests, and correlation analysis. The findings revealed multiple interconnected barriers preventing arbitration adoption. Economic barriers were most pervasive, with arbitration costs – estimated at Uganda Shillings 2–4 million for standard proceedings – placing services beyond the reach of the majority of rural landholders. Institutional barriers included limited arbitrator expertise in land law and tenure systems, the geographic concentration of arbitration services in urban centres, and inadequate coordination with existing dispute resolution mechanisms. Legal framework gaps – particularly the absence of land-specific arbitration procedures – and cultural preferences for public, community-based resolution processes further constrained adoption. Notwithstanding these barriers, comparative analysis demonstrated arbitration's significant advantages: resolution averaged six months compared to 42 months through court litigation, and stakeholders broadly acknowledged arbitration's potential, with 63.6% viewing it as suitable for certain land dispute categories. The study's primary output is the Integrated Arbitration Development Framework (IADF), a structured, evidence-based model for institutionalising arbitration within Uganda's land governance system. The framework is organised around four interdependent pillars: legal and regulatory reform, capacity development and professionalisation, institutional infrastructure and accessibility, and quality assurance and public awareness. Key recommendations include amending the Arbitration and Conciliation Act to address land-specific matters, establishing regional arbitration centres, developing a national register of certified land arbitrators with specialised training in land tenure and customary law, integrating arbitration into court referral systems, and implementing public education campaigns to build awareness and trust. This research concludes that arbitration holds considerable, largely unrealised potential for improving land dispute resolution in Uganda. Realising this potential requires coordinated, simultaneous action across legal, institutional, economic, and cultural dimensions rather than piecemeal reform.
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    Field report on the proposed URF/PPDA head office development on plot 39 Nakasero road, Kampala
    (Makerere University, 2020) Asiimwe, Ivan
    This report contains construction and project management practices that the author participated in as Clerk of works/resident Engineer during the construction of Uganda Road Fund/Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets head office on Nakasero road in Kampala district. Chapter One; lays out an introduction of the project, aims of the project, objectives of the report, discusses the project back ground, project description, funders, consultants, Government advisor, contractor, project organization chart, and project scope. This chapter also discusses the author’s involvement on the project. The project was construction of a nine storey office block with three basement parking levels for URF/PPDA head office on Nakasero road in Kampala district. Chapter Two; discusses the project implementation and construction methodologies, introduction, contract and documents, work program and mobilization schedule, contractor’s establishment, execution of works. It discusses the project planning, mobilization and execution construction phases, methods and methodologies. Chapter Three is a discussion of the project management practices used during implementation and administration of the contract, introduction, project scope management, project cost management, financial forecast and appraisals, project time management, project quality management, site inspection and meetings, dispute and dispute resolutions, communication, cooperation and consultation, stake holders and contract details. Chapter Four; gives a general conclusion on the project occupation health and safety, health and safety considerations, regulations and standards, health, safety and environmental plan. Chapter Five; this chapter gives a briefing on the project benefits. Chapter Six; This Chapter discusses some challenges and how they were overcome, lessons learnt, conclusions and recommendations.