The World Bank has announced that it was suspending its support for all road construction projects in Uganda amid sexual assault claims. The bank has also cited environmental issues as part of the reason for cancelling financial support for roads in the country.
According to a report by the bank, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) failed to meet certain social and environmental standards upheld as conditions of receiving the funding.
A report by NGO Joy for Children found that school going girls were targeted by construction workers on their way to school. The report says at least nine girls left the same secondary school between September and December 2014 after falling pregnant by construction staff.
Contract workers also report problems: some workers say they were not given contracts or appointment letters and when they fall sick, they are not paid. Some construction workers reported of being beaten and some injured. The incisive report also noted safety failures for workers saying there had been little local consultation about the scheme.
