Investigating the cost of mechanized unpaved road maintenance operations in Uganda

Abstract

Force Account Mechanism (FAM) is the predominant road maintenance system in Uganda’s local government setting and also in some private sector plantation agriculture setups. With previous research citing challenges in cost management and efficiency of the FAM method, it becomes paramount to analyse how FAM is implemented in both the private sector and government led operations alongside proposing possible solutions to these challenges. This research offered to analyse unpaved road maintenance cost factors alongside providing a cost model solution to improve on cost prediction of the FAM system. Gulu District Local Government (DLG) and Kakira Sugar Limited (KSL) were selected as case study areas. Cost data from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) was chosen for cost comparison purposes. Two descriptive research methods were used: observations and case study approach. The selected case study areas were accessible and reachable in terms of data collection. Control parameters affecting unpaved mechanized road maintenance were identified as, machine repair costs, maintenance costs, machine depreciation costs, worker’s salaries, machine insurance costs, and machine fuel costs. The study recommends the need for an effective electronic cost database system for unpaved road maintenance works with emphasis on mechanized road maintenance cost driver analytics and management, alongside improvement in aspects of maintenance processes. Further research can be conducted on equipment condition level prediction and analytics at the DLG.