infrastructure 25 March 2026 Howwe Entertainment
Parliament Probes Busega-Mpigi Expressway Cost Surge from Shs547B to Shs1.2T
Ugandan lawmakers have raised alarms over the Busega-Mpigi Expressway's cost doubling to over Shs1.2 trillion with minimal progress, demanding accountability amid ongoing contractor negotiations. The Ministry attributes the escalation to design changes, but MPs suspect deeper irregularities. Source: https://www.howwe.ug/news/national/42689/cost-of-busega-mpigi-expressway-doubles-with-little-progress-made
Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure, led by Hon. Dan Kimosho, grilled Ministry of Works and Transport officials on the Busega-Mpigi Expressway’s ballooning expenses. The project’s contract price jumped from Shs547.5 billion to more than Shs1.2 trillion, sparking accusations of mismanagement.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala explained the increase stemmed from design revisions, including new road alignments, interchanges, and connecting roads. Engineer-in-Chief Stephen Kitonsa confirmed a technical review supported the updated figure.
Kimosho rejected the technical justification, calling the near-doubling suspicious and insisting on identifying those behind the apparent financial losses. He described it as ‘science, not gambling,’ hinting at a ‘smelling rat’ in the process.
Negotiations with the contractor drag on, despite prior parliamentary approval for extra funds. Katumba noted the contractor’s initial Shs578 billion claims for delays and idle equipment were bargained down to Shs78 billion, but no full contract is in place yet.
The 23.7km expressway aims to relieve congestion on the Kampala-Masaka Highway. Construction halted due to funding shortages but resumed after African Development Bank support. MPs like Hon. Nathan Byanyima and Hon. Stella Atyang criticized delays and poor bargaining, warning of further risks to taxpayers.
The committee has ordered the ministry to provide the original contract for deeper investigation.
Source: Howwe Entertainment