A series of high-profile infrastructure delays has placed ROKO Construction Limited under renewed public and institutional scrutiny, as concerns mount over missed deadlines, escalating costs, and accountability in major government projects.Over the past decade, the company has been associated with several large-scale developments that have faced significant delays, including the International Specialized Hospital of Uganda in Lubowa and earlier works at the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI).At UHTTI, parts of the project were only completed after sustained government pressure, with tourism authorities previously expressing frustration over slow progress. Subsequent expansion phases of the institute were later awarded to CRJE East Africa Limited under a World Bank–supported arrangement, a move widely interpreted as a shift toward alternative contractors following performance concerns.Parliament Project Raises AlarmThe most pressing concerns now center on the construction of a new parliamentary chamber for the Parliament of Uganda, a project that has become emblematic of broader procurement and execution challenges.According to the Auditor General’s report for the 2024–2025 financial year, the project has missed multiple completion targets. The contractor was expected to reach 69% completion during the review period but has reportedly stalled at 49%.The timeline has been revised six times, with the latest completion date now set for December 30, 2027. The prolonged delays have forced Parliament to continue operating from rented premises, increasing costs to taxpayers while construction remains incomplete.The project’s price tag has also risen sharply, with expenditures reportedly reaching approximately UGX 263 billion.Political Tensions and Oversight MeasuresThe issue recently sparked debate within Parliament, where Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition, questioned the government over rising costs and repeated funding requests linked to the project.In response, Speaker Anita Annet Among acknowledged the difficulty of terminating the contract, citing the significant funds already disbursed.To limit further financial risk, Parliament, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, has introduced a new payment framework. Under this system, funds are paid directly to subcontractors and suppliers upon completion of specific milestones, bypassing the main contractor’s accounts.Broader ImplicationsThe repeated delays across multiple projects have fueled wider debate about contractor performance, procurement standards, and oversight in Uganda’s infrastructure sector.While ROKO Construction Limited remains one of the country’s most prominent local contractors, the outcomes of ongoing audits and project reviews could influence future public contracting decisions, particularly for donor-funded developments.The post Delays, Rising Costs Put ROKO Construction Limited Projects Under Scrutiny appeared first on The Insider.