Lands state minister Dr Sam Mayanja has attributed delays to complete infrastructure projects to land speculators who frustrate government projects by demanding colossal amounts of money in compensation.

Mayanja said most of the government projects are not completed on time due to speculators who hold the Government to ransom by asking for a lot of money.

Mayanja said most of the delays can be avoided if stakeholders at all stages of the projects cooperate.

“There is a group of people who buy land and then put the nation to ransom. They are the same people. You find them on the Northern Bypass, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company, power and the pipeline. When you open the veil, you find they are the same people. I believed as a nation we are able to trace, isolate and shame them,” Mayanja said.

While launching a book on compulsory land acquisition authored by William Matovu at Golden Tulip Kampala in Nakasero on Thursday, September 08, Mayanja said the challenges of acquiring land for development have been precipitated by different stakeholders such as the office of the government valuer that Uganda is equally delaying projects.

Matovu’s book is titled: Compulsory land acquisition for road Infrastructure.

He commended Matovu for writing the book, saying its recommendations are the solution to Uganda’s land problem.

Mayanja used the event to urge Ugandans to voluntarily surrender their land for government projects.

He cited the case of Namulonge Agricultural & Animal Production Research Institute which was donated free of charge.

“I have come across several cases where individuals have donated their land to a Police station, churches and schools,” he said.

In one of the speculators’ cases, Mayanja said he was appalled to learn that the office of government valuer had valued a road project at sh68 trillion for compensation to claimants.

“I have since asked the government valuer to explain how they come to sh68 trillion. I am going to get my own valuer. First of all, I did my own calculation and we came up with sh2.9 trillion,” Mayanja said.

In his presentation, works and transport minister Gen. Katumba Wamala said a project such as Standard Gauge Railway has stalled as the Government strives to negotiate with land claimants.

Katumba said projects can be completed without land acquisition.

He said he was able to convince people in Bulabira in Wakiso district and they were able to give land for the construction of a road.

“I want to share my experience about engaging the community on projects which are beneficial to them. In Bulabira in Wakiso, we have been able to have the road done by talking to the community to say if we do this road, the project will go up in value and many of them have accepted,” he said.

“Land is one of those variables that make our projects and roads very expensive within the region and land acquisition is one of the reasons,” Katumba said.

Katumba said Article 26(b) of the 1995 Constitution is another legal roadblock for government to access land for development

Qn. 1

Based on the case above, what do you think are some of the challenges facing the realization of the objectives of most of the government projects? (12 marks)

As a student of Project management, what do you think can be done by the government to overcome the above challenges? (13 marks)

Given the current financial crisis in the country, several projects are likely not to kick off because of budget constraints. This means that government has to sit and select which projects they can start with. Assume you are the adviser, what criteria do you think the government can base on to select the projects they can start with. (13 marks)

“The principal differences in preparing projects will arise due to differences between; the starting point of the project, sectoral differences and the scale of the project.” With the use of examples, clearly explain how each of the above influences the preparation of a project. (12 marks)

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Challenges Facing the Realization of the Objectives of Most Government Projects 1 Land Speculation Land speculators demand colossal amounts of money in compensation for government projects frustrating ... View the full answer