KAMPALA, Uganda
The Ministry of Works and Transport has suspended two senior engineers following a directive from the Inspector General of Government (IGG), acting on instructions from President Yoweri Museveni, over alleged mismanagement of funds for the Busega–Mpigi Expressway project.
The suspended officials are Eng. Edwin Raymond Kiyaga and Eng. Dickens Ahimbisibwe, who have been ordered to immediately hand over all government property, stay away from their offices, and remain available to support ongoing investigations.
The suspensions relate to allegations of embezzlement involving funds allocated for the construction of the 23-kilometre Busega–Mpigi Expressway and 20 kilometres of access roads.
The latest action follows concerns raised by President Museveni over the implementation of the multi-billion-shilling infrastructure project, which is financed through a loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
According to the President, approximately UGX 600 billion borrowed for the project had reportedly been fully paid out despite only about 40 percent of the works having been completed.
President Museveni also questioned allegations that some engineers deliberately altered the approved road alignment from a route where compensation had already been completed to another route allegedly passing through land in which they had interests, thereby requiring fresh compensation.
The President said the alleged changes significantly increased the estimated project cost from UGX 600 billion to approximately UGX 1.3 trillion.
In addition to the suspension of the two engineers, President Museveni directed that Eng. Patrick Muleme be investigated over his alleged role in the project.
The President further ordered that the Permanent Secretary, Bageya Waiswa, proceed on leave as investigations continue.
The Inspector General of Government is expected to lead the investigations to establish whether there was abuse of office, corruption, or any other criminal conduct in the implementation of the expressway project.
The Busega–Mpigi Expressway is one of Uganda's major road infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion along the Kampala–Masaka highway and improving transport connectivity between Kampala and western Uganda.
The suspended officials remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty through the ongoing investigations or by a competent court of law.
