Museveni Orders Sacking of Six Works Ministry Engineers

[Da Dona]

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the dismissal of six engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport over their handling of major road infrastructure projects, as government intensifies efforts to tackle corruption and delays in the sector.

The directive was revealed by Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama while appearing before Parliament's Committee on Physical Infrastructure, chaired by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama.
Byamukama told the committee that as he was leaving his office, he received a letter from President Museveni ordering the sacking of six engineers linked to projects including the Busega–Mpigi Expressway, Mityana Road and Fort Portal Road.

He added that several other technical officers are under investigation over alleged irregularities that have delayed road projects and driven up construction costs. According to the minister, some engineers are already recording statements before the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), while others who have since left government service are also being investigated following the President's directive.

"The issue of corruption has really contributed much to the failure of these projects and has hindered even good contractors from delivering their work. Some delays are deliberately created in approving designs, processing certificates and handling contract variations, eventually increasing the cost of projects," Byamukama told MPs.

To address the recurring challenges, the minister said the ministry is introducing reforms, including a requirement that no road contract will be signed unless government has secured a substantial portion of the required right of way. He noted that President Museveni has advised that at least 75% of land acquisition should be completed before construction begins.

The committee also examined the progress of the 23.7-kilometre Busega–Mpigi Expressway. According to the ministry, the African Development Bank-funded project had reached 47.15% physical progress and 49.44% financial progress by June 2026. Although completion is currently projected for December 2028, Byamukama acknowledged that the deadline may still be missed due to ongoing challenges, including funding constraints and land acquisition issues.

New Vision​

 

[Eronda]

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[Eronda]

COMMITTEE QUESTIONS WHY ROAD CONTRACT WAS AWARDED BEFORE FINAL DESIGNS

The Committee on Physical Infrastructure questioned why the Busega–Mpigi Expressway contract was awarded before the final engineering designs were completed.

It asked whether traffic forecasts, geotechnical investigations and other critical studies had been concluded before procurement and construction began.

The Committee also demanded measures to prevent future road projects from undergoing costly redesigns after implementation has started.

Questions were further raised over why the contract was signed by the Acting Director of Legal Services instead of the substantive director.

 

[Eronda]

COMMITTEE QUESTIONS SIX-YEAR DELAY ON BUSEGA–MPIGI EXPRESSWAY

The Committee on Physical Infrastructure has questioned why the project remains below 50% completion after more than six years, despite being financed through borrowed money that continues to attract interest.

 

[Da Dona]

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the dismissal of six engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport over their handling of major road infrastructure projects, as government intensifies efforts to tackle corruption and delays in the sector.

The directive was revealed by Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama while appearing before Parliament's Committee on Physical Infrastructure, chaired by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama.
Byamukama told the committee that as he was leaving his office, he received a letter from President Museveni ordering the sacking of six engineers linked to projects including the Busega–Mpigi Expressway, Mityana Road and Fort Portal Road.
View attachment 3633483
He added that several other technical officers are under investigation over alleged irregularities that have delayed road projects and driven up construction costs. According to the minister, some engineers are already recording statements before the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), while others who have since left government service are also being investigated following the President's directive.

"The issue of corruption has really contributed much to the failure of these projects and has hindered even good contractors from delivering their work. Some delays are deliberately created in approving designs, processing certificates and handling contract variations, eventually increasing the cost of projects," Byamukama told MPs.

To address the recurring challenges, the minister said the ministry is introducing reforms, including a requirement that no road contract will be signed unless government has secured a substantial portion of the required right of way. He noted that President Museveni has advised that at least 75% of land acquisition should be completed before construction begins.

The committee also examined the progress of the 23.7-kilometre Busega–Mpigi Expressway. According to the ministry, the African Development Bank-funded project had reached 47.15% physical progress and 49.44% financial progress by June 2026. Although completion is currently projected for December 2028, Byamukama acknowledged that the deadline may still be missed due to ongoing challenges, including funding constraints and land acquisition issues.

New Vision​

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the dismissal of six engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport over their handling of major road infrastructure projects, as government intensifies efforts to tackle corruption and delays in the sector.

The directive was revealed by Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama while appearing before Parliament's Committee on Physical Infrastructure, chaired by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama.
Byamukama told the committee that as he was leaving his office, he received a letter from President Museveni ordering the sacking of six engineers linked to projects including the Busega–Mpigi Expressway, Mityana Road and Fort Portal Road.
View attachment 3633483
He added that several other technical officers are under investigation over alleged irregularities that have delayed road projects and driven up construction costs. According to the minister, some engineers are already recording statements before the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), while others who have since left government service are also being investigated following the President's directive.

"The issue of corruption has really contributed much to the failure of these projects and has hindered even good contractors from delivering their work. Some delays are deliberately created in approving designs, processing certificates and handling contract variations, eventually increasing the cost of projects," Byamukama told MPs.

To address the recurring challenges, the minister said the ministry is introducing reforms, including a requirement that no road contract will be signed unless government has secured a substantial portion of the required right of way. He noted that President Museveni has advised that at least 75% of land acquisition should be completed before construction begins.

The committee also examined the progress of the 23.7-kilometre Busega–Mpigi Expressway. According to the ministry, the African Development Bank-funded project had reached 47.15% physical progress and 49.44% financial progress by June 2026. Although completion is currently projected for December 2028, Byamukama acknowledged that the deadline may still be missed due to ongoing challenges, including funding constraints and land acquisition issues.

New Vision​

Update: Nile Post has exclusively established the identities of the six senior officials dismissed by President Museveni in the latest anti-corruption purge targeting the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

The dismissals, first disclosed by Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama while appearing before Parliament's Committee on Physical Infrastructure on Monday, did not initially identify the affected officials.
Information obtained by the Nile Post shows that the affected officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport are Engineers Ronald Olaki, Steven Kitonsa and Rogers Kisambira.

Olaki has been associated with the stalled 89.5-kilometre Masaka–Kyotera–Mutukula road project, while Kisambira has served as project manager for roads linked to Uganda's preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).


Eng Stephen K. Kitonsa took over from Eng Samson Bagonza as the Engineer in Chief and the Director of Engineering after the latter retired from service in 2024.

The officials are among those reportedly under scrutiny over allegations of inflated project costs and other procurement-related irregularities.

The other three officials are from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. They are Engineer Ronald Twesigye, the head of the Contracts Committee, Engineer Ayub Sooma, Director of Airports and Aviation Security at Entebbe International Airport, and Helen Wanene, the authority's Head of Legal Affairs.

Sources familiar with the investigations said the UCAA officials are being investigated over alleged governance and procurement-related irregularities at the aviation authority.


Appearing before the parliamentary committee, Byamukama said disciplinary action within the ministry had already begun, starting with the interdiction of Permanent Secretary Waswa Bageya, while several engineers had recorded statements with the Inspector General of Government (IGG).


"Even 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. He is not interdicting them; he has directed that they leave office. The allegations relate to projects including Busega–Mpigi, Mubende–Fort Portal, Masaka–Mutukula and several others," Byamukama told the committee.

The minister said the ministry would fully implement the President's directive and cooperate with investigative agencies.

The latest dismissals follow President Museveni's June 2026 directive ordering the suspension of engineers Edwin Raymond Kiyaga, Dickens Ahimbishe and Patrick Mulema pending investigations into alleged financial irregularities on the Shs600 billion expressway project funded by the African Development Bank.

The latest developments indicate that the President's anti-corruption campaign within the infrastructure sector is widening, with more investigations expected as government scrutinises the management and cost of major public works.​

 

[Eronda]

Update: Nile Post has exclusively established the identities of the six senior officials dismissed by President Museveni in the latest anti-corruption purge targeting the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

View attachment 3634252
The dismissals, first disclosed by Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama while appearing before Parliament's Committee on Physical Infrastructure on Monday, did not initially identify the affected officials.
Information obtained by the Nile Post shows that the affected officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport are Engineers Ronald Olaki, Steven Kitonsa and Rogers Kisambira.

Olaki has been associated with the stalled 89.5-kilometre Masaka–Kyotera–Mutukula road project, while Kisambira has served as project manager for roads linked to Uganda's preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).


Eng Stephen K. Kitonsa took over from Eng Samson Bagonza as the Engineer in Chief and the Director of Engineering after the latter retired from service in 2024.

The officials are among those reportedly under scrutiny over allegations of inflated project costs and other procurement-related irregularities.

The other three officials are from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. They are Engineer Ronald Twesigye, the head of the Contracts Committee, Engineer Ayub Sooma, Director of Airports and Aviation Security at Entebbe International Airport, and Helen Wanene, the authority's Head of Legal Affairs.

Sources familiar with the investigations said the UCAA officials are being investigated over alleged governance and procurement-related irregularities at the aviation authority.


Appearing before the parliamentary committee, Byamukama said disciplinary action within the ministry had already begun, starting with the interdiction of Permanent Secretary Waswa Bageya, while several engineers had recorded statements with the Inspector General of Government (IGG).


"Even 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. He is not interdicting them; he has directed that they leave office. The allegations relate to projects including Busega–Mpigi, Mubende–Fort Portal, Masaka–Mutukula and several others," Byamukama told the committee.

The minister said the ministry would fully implement the President's directive and cooperate with investigative agencies.

The latest dismissals follow President Museveni's June 2026 directive ordering the suspension of engineers Edwin Raymond Kiyaga, Dickens Ahimbishe and Patrick Mulema pending investigations into alleged financial irregularities on the Shs600 billion expressway project funded by the African Development Bank.

The latest developments indicate that the President's anti-corruption campaign within the infrastructure sector is widening, with more investigations expected as government scrutinises the management and cost of major public works.​