Among explains why payment to ROKO was blocked

Parliament has clarified the reasons behind its decision to halt direct payments to construction firm ROKO, citing the need to safeguard public funds amid rising costs and delays in the construction of new parliamentary chambers.

The explanation was provided by Speaker Anita Annet Among during a plenary sitting, following concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi over the escalating expenditure on the project.

Ssenyonyi told the House that at least UGX 263 billion has already been spent on the chambers, with the contractor reportedly seeking additional funding. He questioned the continued allocation of resources, noting that Parliament is still incurring significant rental costs for office space for Members of Parliament at Kingdom Kampala and other locations.

He also demanded clarity on the project timeline, which has shifted several times since construction began.

In response, Among said terminating the contract with ROKO was not a viable option, given the substantial sums already paid to the contractor. She warned that canceling the agreement at this stage could expose Parliament to greater financial losses.

“The contract could not be terminated because the company had already been paid,” she said.

However, the Speaker explained that the Parliamentary Commission, working with the Ministry of Finance, decided to block any further direct payments to the contractor as a control measure.

Under the new arrangement, funds are now being paid directly to suppliers and service providers involved in the construction process. These include works related to redesign adjustments following a past bomb blast incident, as well as ongoing installations such as glass fitting.

Among said the move is intended to enhance accountability and ensure that funds are used strictly for ongoing works, while reducing the risk of further financial exposure.

The decision effectively removes the contractor from handling cash disbursements, even as construction continues.

The development comes amid growing scrutiny over public spending on the parliamentary chambers project, with legislators operating from rented premises years after construction began.

With costs already running into hundreds of billions of shillings and no confirmed completion date, pressure is mounting on Parliament to demonstrate tighter oversight and deliver value for money.