Jubilation has swept through the Church of Uganda Mothers’ Union after a High Court paved the way for the resumption of the stalled construction of the Mothers’ Union House, following the resolution of a financial dispute with Bucon Construction.
The disagreement had centred on payment claims for work done on the initial phase of the eight-storey building, which had stalled after a breakdown in relations between the contractor and project administrators.
Bucon Construction had demanded over Sh1 billion for works completed, while the Mothers’ Union, led by President Roseline Biingi Kawiso, disputed the figure, arguing that the value of work done stood at about Sh400 million.
The dispute escalated into legal proceedings after Bucon Construction took possession of the partly completed structure, effectively halting progress on the project.
The matter was later handled through mediation overseen by Justice Simon Peter Kinobe Mutegeki of the Civil Division of the High Court, where both parties engaged in negotiations that led to an amicable settlement.
Under the agreement, the Mothers’ Union will pay Bucon Construction Sh500 million as a compromise figure, while the contractor will hand over possession of the site to allow construction work to resume.
The dispute had originated from a lawsuit filed by Bucon Construction over alleged non-payment for works carried out during the initial phase of the project, which had brought development to a standstill.
The Mothers’ Union House project, an eight-storey development, has faced multiple delays linked to funding challenges and management disputes.
Following the current leadership’s assumption of office, the administration initiated a forensic audit into approximately Sh12 billion that had previously been spent on the project.
The proposed building is designed to include multipurpose conference facilities, commercial spaces for banks and restaurants, as well as health and recreational amenities intended to generate revenue for Church programmes.
Speaking during a thanksgiving prayer service at the site following the ruling, Kawiso expressed optimism that the resolution would allow the project to move forward and begin delivering its intended benefits to the Church and wider community.
She said the facility is expected to become a key revenue-generating asset supporting Church of Uganda ministries and social programmes once completed.
The settlement marks a turning point for the long-delayed project, with construction expected to resume as both parties implement the court-mediated agreement.