MJET

Assessment of Construction Project Delays in Uganda: A Case Study of Selected Road Construction Projects

Pinto Masaba, Kalema Abdullah


Abstract

This study assessed the causes and extent of delays in road construction projects in Uganda, using selected road projects as a case study. A quantitative design was adopted, and a coded dataset of 120 road projects was analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regression of schedule overrun and binary logistic regression of major delay, supported by diagnostic tests. The study results indicated that schedule overruns averaged 17.1% of the contract period and that right-of-way delays (B = 8.72 percentage points, p < 0.001), delays in the payment of certificates, variation orders, overlap with the wet season and longer road length increased overrun, while greater contractor experience reduced it. Right-of-way delays and wet-season overlap multiplied the odds of a major delay by factors of 14.3 and 15.3 respectively. Heteroscedasticity was detected and addressed through robust standard errors, which left the conclusions unchanged. The study concluded that delays were driven mainly by client-side and contractual factors, and it recommended timely land acquisition and compensation, prompt payment, disciplined variation management and contractor prequalification.

Keywords

construction delays; road projects; right of way; payment delays; variation orders; contractor experience; Uganda
Metropolitan Journal of Engineering and Technology

Cite This Article

Pinto Masaba & Kalema Abdullah (2026). Assessment of Construction Project Delays in Uganda: A Case Study of Selected Road Construction Projects. Metropolitan Journal of Engineering and Technology, 5(10). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=1931

More in This Issue

View full issue →
1
Assessment of Causes of Cost Overruns in Construction Projects in Uganda: A Case Study of Public Building Projects
Lugya Dacuan1 , Jjuko Edrine2
cost overruns; public building projects; variation orders; project delay; construction; Uganda
2
Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Practices on Construction Sites in Uganda: A Case Study of Selected Building Projects
Lugya Dacuan1 , Nagemi Peter2
occupational health and safety; construction sites; building projects; safety training; inspections; accidents; Uganda
3
Assessment of Power Supply Reliability in Uganda: A Case Study of Selected Industrial Areas
Mangeni Amosi1 , Jjuko Edrine2
power supply reliability; electricity outages; industrial areas; distribution network; feeders; maintenance; Uganda
4
The Effect of Climate Change on the Performance of Road Infrastructure in Uganda: A Case Study of Flood-Prone Roads
Zacharia Mukiibi1 , Eletu Joshua2
climate change; flooding; road infrastructure; drainage; culverts; resilience; Uganda
5
The Effect of Construction Materials Quality on the Performance of Road Infrastructure in Uganda: A Case Study of Selected Road Projects
Tumwine George1 , Mamanero Benjamin2
road infrastructure; construction materials; pavement performance; quality assurance; aggregates; compaction; Uganda