news 14 July 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Two Engineers Suspended Over Alleged Embezzlement in Mpigi Expressway Project
The Ministry of Works and Transport has suspended engineers Edward Raymond Kiyaga and Dickens Ahimbisibwe due to accusations of financial mismanagement related to the Busega-Mpigi Expressway construction. This action follows a directive from the Inspector General of Government, initiated by President Museveni. Source: https://observer.ug/news/engineers-ahimbisibwe-kiyaga-suspended-over-mpigi-expressway-funds-embezzlement
Top officials within the Ministry of Works and Transport are facing scrutiny as two engineers, Edward Raymond Kiyaga and Dickens Ahimbisibwe, have been suspended. The suspensions are linked to alleged financial mismanagement and irregularities in the ongoing construction of the Busega-Mpigi Expressway.
This decisive action was prompted by a directive from the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Aisha Nalule Bitala, acting on specific instructions from President Yoweri Museveni, who had raised concerns about the project’s expenditure and progress.
The suspended engineers have been ordered to immediately surrender all government property, official documents, and equipment in their possession. Furthermore, they are prohibited from entering ministry premises or engaging in any official duties without explicit authorization, pending the conclusion of investigations.
The Busega-Mpigi Expressway project, a critical infrastructure development aimed at alleviating traffic congestion on the Kampala-Masaka highway and boosting regional trade, has been marred by increasing costs and slow progress. Originally budgeted at approximately Shs 547 billion, its cost has reportedly ballooned to over Shs 1.4 trillion due to factors such as design modifications and compensation disputes.
Concerns were amplified when physical progress stalled at around 40-45%, prompting presidential intervention. Allegations suggest potential manipulation of the road’s alignment to include newly compensated land, alongside questions regarding the significant release of funds disproportionate to the work completed.
The Inspectorate of Government has commended the suspensions, viewing them as a crucial step towards upholding accountability and restoring public trust in the administration of major infrastructure initiatives.