The Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, has warned contractors against bribing government officials in order to get construction projects.

State minister for works, John Byabagambi and Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi at the opening of the annual general meeting of the Uganda National Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors

“Cases have arisen where contractors are conniving with evaluators or consultants to win projects. This practice compromises not only the quality, but also your integrity as a firm,” he noted.

“Please, stop enticing public servants with small gifts, knowing that you will not meet your contractual obligations,’’ the Premier warned.

Mbabazi was speaking at the 19th Annual General Meeting of the Uganda National Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Thursday.

He observed that most local contractors are unable to compete favourably in the regional market because they do not invest in the construction industry.

“It is common that when some contractors succeed, they do not invest in the construction industry. They use the profi t to marry more wives, buy another car or invest in an unrelated business,” Mbabazi said.

He also attributed substandard work to a habit by some companies to employ technicians instead of engineers.

By Taddeo Bwambale and Norah Mutesi, The New Vision