Social impacts arising from road infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa: better management of social issues is needed in road construction, upgrading and rehabilitation

Figures & data

Figure 1. Approximate location the ten road projects examined for this research.

Source: Geodienst (University of Groningen) using open access data.

Table 1. Summary of ten road projects examined for this research.

Description, basic details, and current status (as at early 2024)	Approximate cost in USD (all components) *	Number of people compensated for land acquisition and/or lost assets	Challenges faced by the project as indicated in the status reports	Contractor
Hoima–Butiaba-Wanseko Road (111 km). Critical Oil Road Package 2. Loan from China Exim Bank. Contract signed January 2018; expected completion April 2021. Status: completed 2022.	$180 million	3,938 valuations done, with 3,471 affected people compensated	Contractor experienced delays in being funded by the China Exim Bank.	Chongqing International Construction Corporation
Busega–Mpigi Expressway (23.7 km). Loan from African Development Bank. Contract signed June 2019; expected completion May 2022. Status: still underway.	$148 million	2,884 property valuation done, with 2,372 people compensated for loss.	The project was delayed because the necessary work was beyond available project budget; encumbrances existed over sections handed to the Contractor.	China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation with China Railway 19^th Bureau Group
Buhimba–Nalweyo-Bulamagi & Bulamagi–Igayaza–Kakumiro Road (93 km). Critical Oil Road Package 3. Loan from China Exim Bank. Contract signed February 2018; expected completion April 2021. Status: completed 2022.	$141 million	5,194 valuations done, with 4,898 affected people compensated	Affected people at Kakumiro were not paid because of delayed instalments to Contractor by China Exim Bank. This led to protests and blockades.	China Wuyi
Design and Build 3 roads: Masindi–Biiso (43 km); Hohwa–Nyairongo-Kyarusheesha–Butoole (25 km); and Kabaale–Kiziranfumbi (25 km). Critical Oil Road Package 5 (total 97 km). Loan from China Exim Bank. Contract signed March 2019; expected completion April 2022. Status: completed 2023.	$136 million	Masindi–Biiso Road: 1712 valuations, with 1574 affected people compensated. Hohwa–Nyairongo-Kyarusheesha–Butoole Road: 1576 valuations done, all of which were accepted and paid. Kabaale–Kiziranfumbi Road: 1682 valuations, with 1249 affected people compensated.	Delays to land acquisition; late payment of instalments to Contractors; and delays in finalizing designs.	China Railway Seventh Group
Mubende–Kakumiro–Kagadi Road (107 km). Loan from China Exim Bank. Contract signed February 2016; expected completion February 2019. Status: completed 2021.	$128 million	5,922 valuations done, with 5,313 affected people compensated.	The contractor experienced delays in being paid by the Government.	China Communication Construction Company
Soroti–Dokolo–Lira-Kamdini Road (189.4 km). Funded by the World Bank and Government of Uganda. Contract signed June 2018; expected completion April 2022. Status: still underway.	$87 million	375 valuations, with 129 affected people compensated.	From December 2019, work was suspended by the World Bank for 10 months due to non-compliance with its Environmental and Social Standards.	M/S Mota-Engil Engeharia e Construcao Africa (based in South Africa)
Design and build upgrade of Najjanakumbi–Busabala Road (11 km), Munyonyo Spur Interchange, and service roads (17 km). Loan from China Exim Bank. Contract signed September 2020; expected completion June 2022. Status: still underway.	$68 million	Some structures between km7 and km11 were compensated, however, due to the specific circumstances of this road, 65% of affected people agreed to provide land without compensation.	Relocation of utilities; inadequate mobilization of equipment by the Contractor; delayed land acquisition; delayed design approval.	China State Construction Engineering Corporation
Design and Build upgrade of Kira–Matugga Road (21 km) and improve 5 intersections. Loan from China Exim Bank. Contract signed September 2020; expected completion December 2024. Status: still underway	$56 million	1269 valuations, with 781 affected people compensated.	Delays to acquisition of land along entire route; delays to approvals of the detailed designs for junctions and for extra landtake.	Chongqing International Construction Corporation
Bulima–Kabwoya Road (66 km). Loan from African Development Bank, DFID, and China Exim Bank. Contract signed December 2015; expected completion May 2018. Status: completed 2021.	$44 million	2,872 valuations done, with 2,722 affected people compensated.	Contractor had cash flow issues and faced unexpected costs leading to many suppliers not being paid.	China Railway No.5 Engineering Group
Kampala–Jinja Road (72 km, some sections only). Funding arrangements not clear. Contract signed June 2021; expected completion June 2023. Status: still underway.	$22 million	Not clear whether land acquisition or compensation of people will be needed.	Slow progress due to limited possibilities for works (night work only) and the long haulage needed to supply materials.	M/S Energoprojekt Niskogradnja A.D (a Russian-Saudi collaboration)

Source: the authors, compiled from project documentation.

*All conversions done at 3800 UGX to 1 USD. The total cost is approximate and used only to give an indication of the scale of these projects. The figures are not accurate for many reasons, including: fluctuation in exchange rates; missing information; whether tax (VAT) is included or not; and potential subsequent changes to project specifications affecting contract payments. The cost does not include interest due on the loans, or any additional unexpected costs that might have arisen.

Figure 2. Restrictions on access to stalls.

Source: lead author. Left: Sentema Road, Lugala, 21 February 2024. Right: Kampala-Port Bell Road, 23 December 2023.