Assessment of the challenges and effects of delays in compulsory land acquisition on the performance of road construction projects in Uganda

Abstract

The roads construction projects in Uganda are experiencing delays which are partly due to challenges in land acquisition. The purpose of this study was to assess the challenges and effects of delays in land acquisition on the performance of Uganda’s roads construction projects, a case of Mbale-Bumbobi-Bubulo-Lwakhakha. Eighteen (18) land acquisition processes, twenty-nine (29) challenges and eighteen (18) feasible strategies were identified through comprehensive literature reviews drawn from land acquisition practices in various countries. Data was collected using questionnaire surveys, structured interviews, and focused discussion guides. Surveys were carried out across the study population composed of valuers, surveyors, sociologists, and PAPs. The collected study data were coded and analysed using SPSS 25.0 and their magnitudes determined using Relative Importance Index (RII). The various processes were evaluated, and the least significant processes were recommended for removal. The study revealed that the top three most significant challenges identified were; (1) delayed compensation awards, (2) injurious affections and other damages, and (3) access difficulties for some families. The RII for the various strategies in mitigating challenges in land acquisition were computed and (1) the need for regular involvement and dialoguing with the stakeholders and the affected persons, (2) a proper definition of what constitute fair and adequate compensation and (3) dialoguing with the affected persons to allow civil works progress especially on undeveloped land portions were evaluated and therefore, recommended as the most feasible ones to enhance the performance of road construction projects in Uganda. Key words: Challenges, Compulsory Land Acquisition, Effects, Construction, Project affected persons, Projects and Relative Importance Index.