Mbarara — A Shs400 million livestock market under construction in Kyenshama in Kashare Sub-county, Kashari has been halted over shoddy work, Daily Monitor has learnt.

The Mbarara District Council sat last week and suspended works on the project that is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture under the National Livestock Productivity Improvement Programme.

According to Mr Moses Kahagire, the district engineer, works at the site include building a big market with cattle loading facilities, ramps, toilets and staff houses which are all near completion.

The district council was told that the contractor, Ambitious Contractors, was using poorly-burnt bricks and soft soil among other construction materials.

"There is no value for money. We have been to this site more than three times. At one time we stopped them but after we had left they said who are these (people) to stop us and they proceeded with works," said Mr Grace Muhairwe, the district speaker.

Both the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Wilson Tibuhyenda, and District Veterinary Officer Dr Lewis Barigye said the project showed no value for money but added that it was out of their control as the contractor is reporting directly to the Ministry (of Agriculture) in Kampala.

The contract was awarded by the central government.

Councillors unanimously put the blame on the ministry for not empowering the district officials to monitor the project.

"We should stop this project. I am going to write to the ministry that the project be stopped. Beneficiaries feel cheated," said Mr Wilberforce Yaguma, the district boss.

However, the State Minister for Animal Industry, Lt. Col. Bright Rwamirama, said the district is grumbling because they wanted the money to award the tender themselves contrary to the project design.