Samson Bagonza

Founding director, M/S Infrastructure Projects Limited

Expertise

Project Management, Design, Construction

Location

Uganda

My highlights

Working my way from pupil to engineer-in-chief for Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport

Being commissioner for quality assurance for the ministry’s materials and research division

Being chief advisor to the government of Uganda on engineering and construction

A day in my life

I wake up at 6am, take breakfast at 8am and leave for work at 8.30am.

On reaching the office at 9am, I spend the first 30 minutes reading newspapers.

Then, I start office work.

I may attend to visitors and often hold short meetings in the office till 1pm.

I then break for lunch and restart work at 2pm.

I take a cup of tea at 6pm and stop working at 8pm.

Being professionally qualified with the ICE means that my academic qualifications and professional experience are recognised nationally, regionally and internationally.

Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?

John Martin (a retired British captain), the headmaster of Kigezi High School in Kabale, Uganda inspired me to take science subjects for the Higher School Certificate (A-levels).

His guidance enabled me to qualify for admission in the Faculty of Technology, Makerere University.

We asked Samson…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

It opens employment opportunities in the public and private sectors.

After gaining enough practical experience and registering with professional bodies, you could also establish a company and be self-employed.

Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…

...a father, leader, philanthropist and a successful man.

What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?

The structures that civil engineers create play a critical role in the wellbeing and quality of life of the communities that use them. I strongly believe that is a gift we civil engineers have!

Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?

Kampala Northern By-Pass in Kampala City, Uganda
Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, Uganda
Kampala-Jinja Expressway, Uganda

What motivated you to become professionally qualified? 

To get professional qualifications that are essential for one to qualify as a consulting engineer.

What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?  

Being professionally qualified with the ICE means that my academic qualifications and professional experience are recognised nationally, regionally and internationally.

What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE? 

It qualifies you to be a consulting engineer and opens employment opportunities with regional and international organisations.

What do you value most about being an ICE member? 

I value the recognition of my qualifications and experience internationally.

Has civil engineering helped you overcome any personal hurdles/difficulties?

It helps me to stand out among other professionals as one with internationally recognised qualifications and experience.

Anything else? i.e. personal causes, hobbies

Watching football games on TV and reading historical articles in newspapers.

Samson's career path

I qualified as a civil engineer in June 1983. I have a BSc in Civil Engineering from Makerere University and MSc in Highway Engineering from the University of Birmingham.

I have since worked with Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport from the rank of pupil engineer (civil) to the highest rank of engineer-in-chief.

I was the chief advisor to the government of Uganda on matters of engineering and the construction industry. I held this post from 2003 to June 2024.

I also headed the ministry’s materials testing and research division. I later became the commissioner for quality assurance.

Studying a master’s degree in the UK helped me to register professionally with the ICE as well as the Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Engineering Council.

Major projects

Mityana-Mubende Road (86km)
Mbarara-Ibanda Road (65km)
Kafu-Masindi Road (44km)
Infrastructure improvements in Kampala City for the 2007 Commonwealth heads of government meeting
Projects for improvement of the district, urban and community roads (2016-2024). This included upgrading and repairing roads, as well as working on rural bridges