Egis Engineering Construction Company Limited will continue construction of the Shs3.5 billion Abindu Seed Secondary School in Abindu Division, Nebbi Municipality after securing a three-month extension, despite completing only 60 percent of the works by the original contract deadline.
The Ministry of Education and Sports, through Nebbi Municipal Council, granted the extension after the contractor cited unavoidable delays that affected progress on the project.
According to municipal records, the project stood at 60 percent completion as of July 3, leaving about 40 percent of the works outstanding. The pending works include roofing, plastering, electrical installations, welding, and other finishing works.
Christopher Opworwoth, the site engineer, said the company had applied for a four-month extension but was granted only three months.
"Our 10-month contract ended on Thursday, July 2, but we requested an extension because we still had pending works. Although we applied for four months, we were given three," Opworwoth said.
He added that construction has not stopped and workers remain on site every day.
"We believe we shall complete all the remaining works within the three months that have been granted," he said.
The Shs3.5 billion World Bank-funded Abindu Seed Secondary School project was awarded to Egis Engineering Construction Company Limited on September 2, 2025, under the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP), an initiative aimed at expanding access to free and quality secondary education across the country.
The contractor was initially given 10 months to complete the project, with the contract expiring on July 2, 2026. According to the contractor, delayed payments and heavy rains during the early stages of construction contributed to the failure to meet the completion deadline.
Nebbi Municipal Education Officer James Gwoktho said the expiry of the original contract does not mean construction has stopped.
"It is normal for a contractor to request an extension of a contract. It does not mean work has come to a standstill," Gwoktho said.
"Work is continuing at the site. If you visit, you will find workers busy on all the blocks to ensure the project is completed."
The delayed completion of the school means students in Nebbi Municipality continue to have limited options for government-aided secondary education, with many relying on Nebbi Town Secondary School or enrolling in private schools.
Nebbi Municipality Mayor Jackline Opar urged the contractor to ensure the extended period is used effectively.
"As leaders, we want to see the contractor complete the project within the three months that have been granted. We currently have only one government-aided secondary school, and Abindu Seed Secondary School will provide another much-needed option," Opar said.
"We welcome the extension, but it should count. The contractor must deliver within the new deadline."
