By Our Reporter Baker Junior
KAMPALA – Former Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, has said decisions that significantly increased the cost of the Busega–Mpigi Expressway project were made by the former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) before it was integrated into the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Speaking during an interview with journalist Sir Simon Muyanga Lutaaya on Thursday, Katumba said he welcomed President Yoweri Museveni’s directive ordering investigations by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) into the project’s escalating costs.
The President recently expressed concern over the increase in the estimated cost of the project from Shs547 billion to about Shs1.3 trillion, prompting investigations and administrative action against several officials in the Works sector.
Katumba, who served as Minister of Works and Transport for five years, said that before UNRA was rationalised and brought under the Ministry in December 2024, it operated as an independent agency with its own management and board.
He explained that during that period, the authority was accountable to its board and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, leaving him with limited oversight over its operations.
“I had no direct authority over UNRA before it was merged into the Ministry. Many of the decisions concerning road projects were made independently,” Katumba said.
According to the former minister, the original scope of the Busega–Mpigi project was later altered by UNRA management through the inclusion of additional connecting roads intended to address growing traffic demand towards Masaka, Mityana, Lungala and other areas.
He said UNRA commissioned a redesign consultant whose recommendations resulted in changes to the project’s alignment and scope, leading to a sharp increase in the estimated cost.
Katumba maintained that he was not involved in the decision to redesign the project, saying the authority dealt directly with officials in the Ministry of Finance on the matter.
He added that following the transfer of UNRA’s functions to the Ministry of Works in December 2024, he instructed the Ministry’s Chief Engineer, Eng. Kitonsa, to establish a technical committee to review the project.
The committee, comprising 12 engineers, including representatives from the Engineers Registration Board, reportedly concluded that the revised estimate of about Shs1.37 trillion was excessive and recommended that the project cost be reduced to approximately Shs1.08 trillion.
Katumba also disclosed that the contractor had at one point submitted a claim estimated at about Shs1.7 trillion.
He said the committee’s findings were shared with the then Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and the project’s financier.
According to Katumba, although discussions were initiated, no immediate action followed.
The former minister also expressed sympathy for Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa, who was recently directed to step aside, saying he believes some officials affected by the President’s directive were not involved in the decisions that resulted in the cost escalation.
He said he is confident that the ongoing investigations by the Inspector General of Government and Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure will establish the facts surrounding the project.
Katumba further stated that although he was concerned by the President’s public criticism of the Works sector, he remained confident that his record would withstand scrutiny.
“I served for five years as Minister of Works and I am satisfied that I carried out my responsibilities diligently. I have never received a bribe from any contractor to influence my decisions,” he said.
Investigations into the Busega–Mpigi Expressway project are ongoing.
