Eye Media Reporter | July 1, 2026
KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has directed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Waiswa Bageya, to step aside as investigations get underway into alleged corruption surrounding the Busega–Mpigi Expressway project.
The President also ordered the immediate suspension of three senior ministry engineers—Edwin Raymond Kiyaga, Dickens Ahimbisibwe and Patrick Muleme—pending investigations into allegations of financial mismanagement and abuse of office linked to the multi-billion-shilling road project.
In a letter dated June 26, 2026, addressed to the Inspector General of Government, Justice Aisha Naluzze Batoro, Museveni instructed that the officials be investigated over what he described as the suspected embezzlement of funds meant for the construction of the 23-kilometre expressway and its 20-kilometre access roads.
Why Museveni Took Action
According to the President, the government initially secured Shs600 billion from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fully finance the expressway. However, despite only about 40 percent of the project being completed, the entire amount had already been spent.
Museveni questioned how the funds were exhausted before completion of the works, saying the matter required immediate investigation.
The President further alleged that some engineers altered the original road alignment, abandoning a route that had already been surveyed and compensated. He claimed the new alignment passed through land in which the officials allegedly had personal interests, resulting in fresh and costly compensation claims.
He said the changes pushed the estimated project cost from Shs600 billion to about Shs1.3 trillion, describing the alleged actions as a deliberate scheme to defraud taxpayers.
Investigations Ordered
Museveni directed the Inspector General of Government to lead the investigations with support from State House Auditor General John Tumwiine.
He also ordered Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya to step aside during the probe, with Under Secretary Barbara Namugambe appointed to serve as Acting Permanent Secretary until investigations are completed.
Previous Inspection
The latest directive comes weeks after officials from the Inspectorate of Government inspected the Busega–Mpigi Expressway following public complaints over project delays, alleged abandonment by the contractor, encroachment on the road corridor and concerns over value for money.
At the time, Deputy Inspector General of Government Anna Twinomugisha Muhairwe said the Inspectorate was largely satisfied with the explanations given by ministry officials regarding the progress of the project. However, she warned that anyone found to have manipulated compensation processes or engaged in corruption would be held accountable.
Ministry’s Earlier Explanation
Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport had previously attributed the increase in the project’s cost to additional financing approved by the African Development Bank in December 2025.
They explained that the extra funding was intended to complete the project, clear outstanding compensation claims for project-affected persons and meet revised construction costs after delays.
Neither Waiswa Bageya nor the three suspended engineers had publicly responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
The Busega–Mpigi Expressway is one of Uganda’s key infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving transport between Kampala and the central and western regions of the country.
