By Ben Musanje
The Ministry of Works and Transport has suspended two engineers following a directive from the Inspector General of Government (IGG) as investigations into the alleged mismanagement and possible embezzlement of funds earmarked for the Busega-Mpigi Expressway intensify.
The suspended officials, Edwin Raymond Kiyaga and Dickens Ahimbisibwe, were ordered out of office in compliance with a July 1, 2026 directive issued by Inspector General of Government Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala. The directive followed instructions from President Yoweri Museveni, who ordered their immediate suspension to allow for expeditious investigations into allegations of financial impropriety involving the construction of the 23-kilometre Busega-Mpigi Expressway and its 20-kilometre access roads.
According to the Inspectorate of Government, the suspensions are intended to ensure investigations proceed without interference. The Ministry of Works directed the two engineers to immediately hand over all government property, including files, records, documents and equipment, to their supervisors. They have also been barred from accessing ministry premises or performing official duties unless expressly authorised and have been instructed to remain available to assist investigators throughout the inquiry.
The Inspectorate of Government commended the ministry for promptly implementing the directive, saying the action demonstrated adherence to the principles of accountability and good governance. It also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding integrity, ethical standards and the rule of law while executing its constitutional mandate with diligence and impartiality.
The investigations come amid heightened scrutiny of the Busega-Mpigi Expressway, one of Uganda’s flagship road infrastructure projects.
Two months ago, Deputy Inspector General of Government Anna Twinomugisha Muhairwe, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport and technical teams, conducted an on-site inspection of the project following concerns over implementation delays, land encroachment and value for money. The Inspectorate said it had intensified oversight to ensure public resources are properly utilised and project timelines are adhered to.
The 23.7-kilometre expressway is jointly financed by the Government of Uganda and the African Development Bank. Construction stalled in early 2025 after funding constraints slowed progress on the project, which is expected to ease congestion along the Kampala-Masaka highway.
In December 2025, the African Development Bank approved an additional €217 million (about Shs909 billion) to facilitate completion of the project. Ministry of Works officials said negotiations on an addendum to the existing contract were expected to pave the way for the resumption of full-scale construction.
According to Commissioner for Roads Eng. Godfrey Bihemaiso, total financing for the project now stands at approximately Shs1.3 trillion, including the original contract sum of Shs547 billion, with about Shs500 billion already released. He said government expects an additional Shs900 billion to complete the project while ensuring all Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) are compensated to avoid further delays.
Of the 4,270 PAPs identified along the project corridor, about 80 percent had been compensated by then, with Shs30.5 billion reserved for the remaining claimants. The ministry said legal disputes and family disagreements over land ownership delayed compensation for some beneficiaries, prompting the Attorney General to seek court intervention to facilitate payment.
Once completed, the Busega-Mpigi Expressway will feature four lanes separated by a three-metre median, four interchanges, approximately 21 kilometres of link roads and toll plazas at Busega, Kyengera, Maya and Lungala. The entire expressway will be fenced, with access limited to designated interchanges, and fitted with street lighting to improve safety.
The project is expected to significantly reduce congestion along the Kampala-Masaka corridor, shorten travel time, improve road safety and boost trade and regional connectivity.
Investigations into the alleged financial impropriety are ongoing, and no criminal charges have yet been brought against the suspended engineers. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
