TORORO — Across different parts of Tororo District, stalled construction sites have become increasingly visible, reflecting the growing economic pressure facing households and institutions amid rising commodity prices.
Walls left unfinished and piles of sand slowly washed away by rain now stand as reminders of projects halted midway as residents struggle with the rising cost of building materials.
Residents say the situation, which has been evident since April, is not due to negligence but the impact of escalating prices that have made construction unaffordable for many families.
A bag of cement that previously sold at around Shs25,000 now costs about Shs33,000, forcing many people to postpone or abandon construction projects altogether.
Rose Ofwono, a headteacher overseeing a school construction project, said the price increases have disrupted their plans.
“By the time we began this construction, cement was sold at Shs26,000, but now it is sold at Shs33,000. This can’t be afforded by starters like us,” she said.
The slowdown in construction has also affected workers who depend on the sector for income. Engineers and casual labourers say they are increasingly struggling to find jobs as projects stall.
“My brother, we are starving. I used to run so many sites, but now I hardly find even one contract to run,” said Simon Oloka, a construction engineer in Tororo.
Building material dealers attribute the price surge to rising fuel costs, which have increased both transport and production expenses. Petrol prices have risen from about Shs5,000 per litre to nearly Shs7,000, further driving up costs.
The impact of fuel inflation has also been felt in transport, with residents saying the cost of accessing essential services such as healthcare has increased.
“Someone falls sick, but taking that person to hospital is now very difficult because a boda boda man will charge you a lot of money,” said Godfrey Ochieng, a resident.
As the country implements its new national budget, Tororo residents are calling for practical interventions to ease the burden of the rising cost of living, rather than relying solely on economic projections.
The stalled buildings scattered across the district have become visible symbols of financial strain, reflecting the broader economic challenges affecting households and businesses.