Kampala, Uganda: President Museveni has ordered a far-reaching investigation into alleged corruption and financial mismanagement surrounding the Busega–Mpigi Expressway project after its cost reportedly ballooned from Shs600 billion to Shs1.3 trillion.
In a directive dated June 26, 2026, addressed to Inspector General of Government (IGG) Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Battam, the President ordered an immediate investigation into what he described as serious irregularities in the implementation of one of Uganda’s key national road infrastructure projects.
According to the directive, government secured Shs600 billion from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance construction of the 23-kilometre Busega–Mpigi Expressway together with a 20-kilometre access road.
However, the President said information available to him indicated that although only about 40 percent of the works had been completed, the contractor had allegedly already been paid the entire contract sum.
“The Government borrowed Shs600 billion from ADB to do the Expressway 100%. As of now only 40% of the work has been done but all the money was paid. What happened?” Museveni asked.
The directive further alleges that engineers responsible for the project altered the original road alignment after compensation had already been paid to affected landowners.
According to the President, the new alignment allegedly passed through land in which some project officials had interests, triggering a fresh round of compensation claims and dramatically increasing the overall cost of the project to Shs1.3 trillion.
If substantiated, the allegations would rank among the largest suspected financial scandals involving a government-funded road project in recent years.
Officials Face Investigations
Mr Museveni, in the letter, directed the Inspector General of Government to conduct comprehensive investigations into the matter in collaboration with the State House Auditor, Tumwiine.
He further ordered that engineers identified as Kiyaga, Ahimbisiibwe, and Muleme be suspended from duty to allow investigations to proceed without interference, and also instructed that Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa proceed on leave during the investigations, with Under Secretary Namugambe designated to serve as Acting Permanent Secretary.
The Busega–Mpigi Expressway is one of Uganda’s flagship transport infrastructure projects designed to decongest the Kampala–Masaka Highway, improve connectivity to western Uganda and facilitate regional trade along the Northern Corridor.
The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Kampala and the western region while supporting economic growth through improved transport efficiency.
The presidential directive comes as government intensifies efforts to combat corruption and improve accountability in the implementation of publicly funded projects.
President Museveni has repeatedly warned that corruption in infrastructure projects undermines service delivery, inflates project costs and denies Ugandans value for public investments.
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