By Eye Media | Kampala | July 20, 2026
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has dismissed six engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport in a fresh crackdown on corruption and alleged mismanagement of major government road projects.
The directive was revealed by the Minister of Works and Transport, Hon Fred Byamukama, while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure chaired by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama.
Byamukama told legislators that President Museveni had ordered the dismissal of six engineers linked to major road projects, including the Busega–Mpigi Expressway, Mityana Road and Fort Portal Road.
“As I was leaving my office this morning, I saw a letter from the President sacking six engineers, including a few I am seeing on this front bench, on projects such as Busega-Mpigi, Mityana and Fort Portal roads,” the minister said.
He revealed that investigations into corruption and abuse of office within the ministry are still ongoing, with several engineers currently recording statements before the Inspectorate of Government (IGG). Former ministry officials are also under investigation.
Byamukama said corruption has significantly contributed to delays in the implementation of government-funded road projects, with some officials allegedly frustrating the approval of engineering designs, payment certificates and contract variations, leading to increased construction costs.
He noted that the Permanent Secretary, Bageya Waiswa, was earlier interdicted as part of the ongoing investigations.
The minister also announced new measures aimed at improving accountability in road construction.
He said the ministry will no longer sign contracts for road projects before acquiring a substantial portion of the required right of way, adding that President Museveni has advised that at least 75 percent of the land should be secured before construction begins.
The parliamentary committee also examined the delayed Busega–Mpigi Expressway, a 23.7-kilometre project financed by the African Development Bank and being constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
According to the ministry, the project had reached 47.15 percent physical progress and 49.44 percent financial progress by June 2026. Although construction began in November 2019, completion has now been pushed to December 2028.
Government has so far spent Shs547.5 billion on the project, while outstanding payments of about Shs82.1 billion to the contractor have slowed construction.
Members of Parliament questioned ministry officials over changes to the project’s original design, alleging that parts of the road were diverted through wetlands, increasing construction costs and compensation claims.
The Commissioner for National Roads, Eng. Isaac Wani, attributed the delays mainly to funding shortages after the original loan was exhausted and the contractor went unpaid. He said construction resumed after Parliament approved additional financing from the African Development Bank.
Parliament has directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to submit all documents relating to the project’s design changes, consultant payments and approvals as investigations into the road projects continue.
