Engineers warn of higher construction costs

Uganda’s 2026/2027 national budget has introduced a new levy on cement, one of the country’s most critical building materials, adding an estimated 250 shillings per 50kg bag in a move that could push construction costs even higher in an already expensive market. The announcement came against the backdrop of discussions at the launch of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers Voice platform, where debates over infrastructure affordability, policy direction, and the role of technical expertise in national decision-making took center stage.