Assessing the impact of construction disputes on time performance of construction projects in Uganda

Abstract

The construction industry in Uganda is at a first growing rate, which means there is a lot of business in the sector as it currently stands now. However, the sector is marred by conflicts and disputes which in many instances result in projects’ failure to be executed in the expected time, plus financial losses and loss of business for the stakeholders. Carrying out a research study into the cause of these disputes would enable stakeholders understand why these disputes occur and in turn devise mitigation measures for them. This research was executed and an image was drawn on the nature of the construction disputes experienced in Uganda, particularly focusing on construction projects in Kampala city. The end result from the weighted averages and relevant validity data tests, as well as data correlation showed that most of the disputes occur due to conflicts with clients’ interests, as well as due to design related issues where both clients and professionals play a part. The point of this study was to create awareness to the stakeholders, and form a basis of prediction of the sources of disputes on construction in terms of where, or how the conflict can arise, aiming at devising mitigation measures, or rather advance ways to avoid these conflicts and disputes by the construction industry stakeholders.