The Impact of Construction Claims on Road Projects in Uganda

This report delves into the impact of construction claims on road projects within Uganda, examining the various factors that contribute to these claims and their subsequent effects on project performance. The study employs a pragmatic research philosophy, a descriptive research design, a deductive research approach, and qualitative data analysis through thematic analysis, relying on secondary data. The research identifies design errors, funding inadequacies, labor issues, resource limitations, and adherence failures as key contributors to construction claims. Furthermore, the study reveals that these claims significantly hinder project success by increasing costs and extending project timelines. The report concludes with recommendations for effective negotiation, proactive dispute resolution, contingency planning, and other strategies aimed at ensuring the timely and efficient completion of road projects in Uganda. The findings underscore the critical need for improved project management and strategic planning to mitigate the negative impacts of construction claims on infrastructure development.

Running head: CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
THE IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS ON CONSTRUCTION
PROJECTS: A CASE STUDY OF ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of Construction Claims on
Construction Projects in the particular context of the Road Projects in
Uganda. For the attainment of this end, the researcher had taken the help of
the pragmatic research philosophy, descriptive research design, deductive
research approach, secondary data collection method and qualitative data
analysis method (thematic analysis). The researcher found that design
errors, inadequate funding, labor issues, inadequate resources, failure to
follow the project specifications, below-par quality and others are some of
the most important factors which had directly contributed towards the
different construction claims related to the road projects in Uganda. More
importantly, the findings of the study also reveal that these construction
claims adversely affect the project performance by enhancing the cost and
also the time which is needed for the completion of the projects. Lastly, the
researcher recommends the usage of effective negotiation, anticipating and
thereby taking measures for the disputes prior to the start of the projects,
formulation of contingency plans and others for ensuring the effective
completion of the road projects.

2CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION..............................................................................5
1.1 Introduction............................................................................................5
1.2 Background of the Study........................................................................5
1.3 Problem Statement.................................................................................6
1.4 Research Aim..........................................................................................7
1.5 Research Objectives...............................................................................7
1.6 Research Questions................................................................................7
1.7 Structure of the Study............................................................................8
1.8 Summary................................................................................................9
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW....................................................................10
2.1 Introduction..........................................................................................10
2.2 Construction Claims..............................................................................10
2.3 Types of Construction Claims...............................................................11
2.4 Causes of Construction Claims.............................................................13
2.5 Impact of Construction Claims on Road Projects..................................14
2.6 Literature Gap......................................................................................15
2.7 Summary..............................................................................................15
Chapter 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..........................................................16

3CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................16
3.2 Research Philosophy.............................................................................16
3.3 Research Design...................................................................................17
3.4 Research Approach...............................................................................17
3.5 Data Collection Method........................................................................18
3.6 Data Analysis Method...........................................................................18
3.7 Limitations of the Study........................................................................19
3.8 Summary..............................................................................................19
Chapter 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION.........................................................20
4.1 Introduction..........................................................................................20
4.2 Thematic Analysis.................................................................................20
4.3 Discussion.............................................................................................24
4.4 Summary..............................................................................................26
Chapter 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS......................................28
5.1 Conclusion............................................................................................28
5.2 Recommendations................................................................................28
5.3 Future Scope........................................................................................29
References.....................................................................................................30

4CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
This chapter of the study presents an overview of the research aim,
objectives and the questions on the basis of which the student had been
conducted. Furthermore, the researcher had also outlined the structure that
had been followed for the completion of this study.
1.2 Background of the Study
As stated by Turner (2016), the different construction projects play a
pivotal role in the infrastructural development of any nation and it is because
of this particular aspect it is seen that the different nations of the world are
increasing their expenditure on the construction projects. Wang, Park and
Choi (2018) are of the viewpoint that this in turn had given rise to the
different road projects which are being undertaken by the national
government of the developing nations so as to facilitate the development of
the transportation sector and the other industries of the nation and thereby
bring about the economic nation of the nation. However, at the same time it
seen that the different kinds of construction claims and disputes are
adversely affecting the performance or for that matter the success of their
construction projects (Zaneldin 2018). As a matter of fact, it is seen that
while delaying the completion of the road projects the construction claims
and disputes have also substantially increased the cost incurred by the
nations for the completion of the different road projects (Kim, Im and Choi

5CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
2016). In this connection, Uganda is an important developing nation wherein
it had been seen that the different road projects undertaken by the national
government of the concerned nation had been delayed on the score of the
construction claims and disputes (Nyende-Byakika 2016). It is in this
particular backdrop that the researcher intends to analyze the impact of
construction claims on the road projects of Uganda.
1.3 Problem Statement
Nakayi and Witte (2019) are of the viewpoint that within the nation of
Uganda it is seen that out of 21,000 km national road only 21% of them are
paved road. Adding to this, Muzaale and Auriacombe (2018) have noted that
within the nation of USA for every 1000 people there are 21 km of road
whereas in Uganda there is 0.126 km per 1000 people despite the fact that
97% of the transportation within the concerned nation is being undertaken
by road. It is not that the national government of Uganda had not
undertaken any road projects for the development of the roads within the
concerned nation yet it is seen that the different kinds of construction claims
and disputes had substantially delayed the completion of the same (Nyende-
Byakika 2016). As a matter of fact, on the score of the construction claims
and disputes it was seen that the Kampala Northern-By-Pass highway in
Uganda is being completed at a speed of 0.01 km per day and the cost of
completing the same overran by 83% than the initial budget finalized for the
completion of the same (Aslam, Baffoe-Twum and Saleem 2019). The impact
of construction claims and disputes on the road projects of Uganda becomes

6CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
apparent when the fact that for completing one kilometer of paved road in
Uganda is US dollars 570,692 more in comparison to the construction of the
same road in USA is being taken into consideration (Nyende-Byakika 2016).
This in turn while slowing down the infrastructural development of Uganda
had also adversely affected the national economy of the concerned nation as
well.
1.4 Research Aim
The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of Construction Claims
on Construction Projects in the particular context of the Road Projects in
Uganda.
1.5 Research Objectives
1. To identify the causes of construction claims in the particular context
of the Road Projects in Uganda
2. To examine the relationship between construction claims and project
performance in the particular context of road projects in Uganda
3. To recommend ways through Uganda can enhance the project
performance of its different road projects
1.6 Research Questions
1. What are the causes of construction claims in the particular context of
the Road Projects in Uganda?
2. What is the relationship between construction claims and project
performance in the particular context of road projects in Uganda?

7CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
3. What are the ways through Uganda can enhance the project
performance of its different road projects?
1.7 Structure of the Study
The structure that had been followed for the completion of the study is
highlighted by the below given figure-
Figure 1: Structure of the Study
Source: (Created by the Author)
1.8 Summary
To sum up, the researcher in the above discussion had outlined the
problem statement, research aim, research background, objectives and
questions on the basis of which the study would be completed. This chapter
would be followed by the chapter “Literature Review”.

8CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA

9CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This chapter undertakes a review of the past literature related to
construction claims or disputes and their impact on the construction projects.
The researcher had also highlighted the literature gap which this particular
study will try to cover up.
2.2 Construction Claims
Prasad et al. (2019) are of the viewpoint that construction claims are
the requests from either of the parties involved in a contract (in the majority
of the cases the contractors) for compensation on the score of the damages
caused by the other party’s failure to fulfill the obligations which were
specified in the contract. Adding to this, Akinradewo and Oladinrin (2018)
have noted that the compensation which is being demanded by one of the
parties is usually being reimbursed by the other party in the form of
additional monetary payment or an extension in the time needed for the
completion of the project. In this relation, it needs to be said that
construction claims are one of the most unpleasant events associated with
the completion of a project and this while delaying the completion of the
projects also substantially enhances the cost of the same as well
(Guévremont and Hammad 2020). More importantly, it is seen that because
of the fierce competition within the construction industry the different
corporations had been forced to submit project proposals with bare minimum

10CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
profits and even complete the same with lesser amount of profits as well as
resources (Barakat, Abdul-Malak and Khoury 2018).
As discussed by Bajere, Galadima and Durodola (2017), the
sophistication as well as the complexity of the modern projects had
increased substantially and thus it is seen that the contractors are required
to use adequate resources for the completion of these projects. However, the
issue arises since it had been seen that the majority of the construction
corporations in the developing nations do not have adequate resources for
the completion of the complex or the sophisticated projects that they
undertake (Al Khaldi et al. 2019). More importantly, they also fail to get the
required support from the national government of the concerned nation
since the nations themselves do not have access to the same (Demachkieh
et al. 2020). This in turn given rise to the various construction claims within
the developing nations which in turn is adversely affecting the completion of
the different construction projects within the same.
2.3 Types of Construction Claims
Tan, Anumba and Soon (2018) are of the viewpoint that depending on
the causes or for that matter the reasons of the construction claims there are
various kinds of construction claims presently seen within the construction
industry. Adding to this, Alshammari et al. (2017) have noted that the
different types of construction claims if not adequately managed can
adversely affect the outcomes or for that matter the performance of the

11CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS AND ROAD PROJECTS IN UGANDA
entire project itself. In this relation, it needs to be said that there are eight
broad categories of construction claims which are outlined by the below
given figure-
Figure 2: Types of Construction Claims
Source: (Created by the Author)
The delay claim is the one wherein claim is being made for delay in the
completion of the project whereas price acceleration claim is being made
when the project needs to be completed before the stipulated deadline for
the same (Nasirzadeh et al. 2019). The change of work order claims is being
made when certain aspects of the project are being changed and in extra
item and variation claim new or additional requests are being made (Hewitt
2016). The different site condition claim is being when the working condition
DelayClaimsPriceaccelerationclaimschangeofworkorderclaimsextraitemandvariationclaimsdifferentsiteconditionclaimsdamageclaimslossofprofitclaimswrongfulwithholdingofdepositsclaims