The dispute intensified after Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja inspected several affected roads on Wednesday, criticising contractors for slow progress and poor workmanship.
The projects, which began in December 2022 and were scheduled to run for 36 months, were initially expected to be completed by December last year.
However, construction is still ongoing on several key routes, leaving sections muddy and difficult to navigate for both motorists and pedestrians.
During the inspection, Nabbanja braved heavy rain while touring several road sections alongside State Minister for Works Musa Ecweru.
The team reportedly found large stretches of the roads submerged in mud and nearly impassable.
The Prime Minister blamed the situation on poor performance by contractors and urged them to improve the quality and pace of their work.
However, officials at the city authority say the delays are largely due to unpaid government obligations.
KCCA’s Minister for Works, Hakim Kiiza, said contractors cannot fully proceed with the projects because government has not cleared outstanding payments.
“The Prime Minister is trying to be everywhere, yet it is government that has failed to pay contractors,” Kiiza said. “They are demanding Shs29 billion in arrears.”
According to KCCA officials, contractors are seeking approximately Shs29 billion in pending payments before they can resume full-scale construction.
Several major city routes have been affected by the delays, including Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road, Kyebando Ring Road, Kira Road, and Natete Roundabout.
For traders and motorists who rely on the roads daily, the situation has become both costly and dangerous.
“At times, we fall into the trenches, and sometimes customers leave without paying because they must walk long distances,” said one trader operating along one of the affected routes. “Government should treat this with urgency.”
Meanwhile, the Lord Mayor-elect of Kampala, Ronald Balimwezo, has also criticised authorities for failing to take action against contractors who have delayed completing the projects.
Balimwezo, who has been serving as chairperson of the KCCA Roads Committee, said some contractors have repeatedly failed to honour their obligations without facing consequences.
“Immediately I am sworn in as the Lord Mayor of Kampala, I will take punitive actions against any contractor who delays to complete work within the required timeline,” Balimwezo warned.
As the dispute between government leaders and city authorities continues, residents of Kampala remain caught in the middle, forced to navigate muddy roads, stalled machinery and growing uncertainty about when the long-awaited road upgrades will finally be completed.