Implications of time overruns on public building project delivery in Uganda

This study investigates the implications of time overruns in the delivery of public building projects in Uganda, with a specific focus in Mbarara City. It identifies major causes of delays, quantifies their severity, and assesses the resulting impacts on cost, timelines, and service delivery. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 72 respondents, including 48 construction professionals (project managers, engineers, quantity surveyors, and architects) and 24 opinion leaders. Stratified random sampling ensured representativeness. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS, and delay severity was assessed using a ranking index based on a 5-point Likert scale. The most significant delay factors were design changes, delays in material procurement, weather disruptions, and logistical inefficiencies, with design changes recording the highest severity index (89%). Delays were found to contribute to cost escalations (mean = 4.25), extended project timelines, and negative public perception. ANOVA and t-tests revealed significant differences in how various professional groups perceived the impact of delay causes (p < 0.05). Unlike many prior studies that broadly examine infrastructure delays, this paper offers a location-specific, empirically grounded analysis of public building project delays in a fast-growing Ugandan city. The study contributes to theoretical understanding through the application of the Critical Path Method and Theory of Constraints and offers actionable strategies for policymakers, contractors, and consultants to mitigate time overruns.