Uganda’s Parliament has raised alarms over the Busega-Mpigi Expressway contract price surging from Shs547.5 billion to over Shs1.2 trillion, with MPs demanding accountability from the Ministry of Works and Transport. Lawmakers dismissed technical explanations for the escalation and ordered submission of the original contract for investigation.
Uganda’s parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure, led by Hon. Dan Kimosho, voiced strong concerns on March 24, 2026, during a session with Ministry of Works and Transport officials headed by Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala. The discussion focused on the Ministerial Policy Statement for 2026/2027 but spotlighted the Busega-Mpigi Expressway’s ballooning expenses.
The project cost has doubled from an initial Shs547.5 billion to more than Shs1.2 trillion. Gen. Katumba Wamala explained the rise stemmed from design changes, including new road alignments, interchanges, and connecting roads. Engineer-in-Chief Stephen Kitonsa confirmed a technical review supported the updated figure.
Hon. Kimosho rejected these justifications, calling the increase suspicious and insisting it resembled ‘gambling’ rather than science. He highlighted unaccounted financial losses and demanded identification of those responsible.
Negotiations with the contractor drag on, despite prior parliamentary approval for extra funds. Gen. Katumba noted the contractor’s claims dropped from Shs578 billion to Shs78 billion after talks, but no final contract exists yet. MPs like Hon. Nathan Byanyima and Hon. Stella Atyang criticized delays and poor bargaining, warning of further renegotiations and taxpayer burdens.
The 23.7km expressway aims to relieve congestion on the Kampala-Masaka Highway but stalled due to funding issues before African Development Bank support. The committee has instructed the ministry to provide the original contract for deeper scrutiny.
