Nexus between Gender Capacity-Building Strategies and Performance of Road Construction Projects in Kampala, Uganda

Policymakers are in consensus that the adoption of gender capacity building in the construction of road projects significantly improves performance, evidently in the improvement of project quality, sustainability, and reduced time scope in completion. However, assessment of gender capacity building and performance of road projects has received little attention, particularly in Uganda. This study examined the influence of gender capacity building on the performance of road construction projects in Kampala, Uganda. The study was anchored by Theory, Human Capital Theory, and Social Role Theory. Mixed-methods approach was used, which integrated both quantitative and qualitative research. The study targeted 1,108 employees involved in road construction projects; random sampling and purposive sampling were employed to obtain 293 sample from different categories of the target population. Data analysis was preceded by cleaning, and subsequently descriptive and inferential analysis was undertaken to test research hypotheses. The findings of this study were vital in formulating policies that created a balanced and diverse workforce, leading to improved efficiency and also added knowledge on existing literature for gender studies, development studies, and the construction industry. The findings of the study established that gender capacity building strategies provided a strong foundation for inclusive planning and execution, while gender-disaggregated monitoring improved transparency and accountability through data-informed decision making (B1=0.639, p<0.05). Gender capacity building strategies, especially those targeting technical and managerial skills for women, increased workforce diversity and productivity. The study recommends more investment in gender-focused capacity building within the construction sector. Keywords: Gender, Capacity-Building, Strategies, Performance, Road Construction, Projects