Museveni Purges Six Officials in Anti-Corruption Drive Targeting Infrastructure Sector

An exclusive investigation by Nile Post has revealed the identities of six senior government officials who have been dismissed by President Yoweri Museveni as part of a significant anti-corruption purge. The crackdown primarily targets alleged corruption, inflated costs, and procurement irregularities within the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

The dismissals were confirmed by the Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, during a parliamentary committee meeting. He stated that the President had ordered the removal of six engineers and other officials for alleged involvement in irregularities concerning major infrastructure projects.

From the Ministry of Works and Transport, the dismissed officials include Engineers Ronald Olaki, Steven Kitonsa, and Rogers Kisambira. Olaki has been linked to the stalled Masaka–Kyotera–Mutukula road project, while Kisambira served as a project manager for roadworks related to Uganda’s bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Engineer Stephen K. Kitonsa had recently taken over as the Engineer in Chief and Director of Engineering. These officials are reportedly under scrutiny for issues related to project cost inflation and procurement malpractices.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) also saw three key figures dismissed: Engineer Ronald Twesigye, head of the Contracts Committee; Engineer Ayub Sooma, Director of Airports and Aviation Security; and Helen Wanene, Head of Legal Affairs. Investigations into their conduct are focused on alleged governance and procurement irregularities at the aviation authority.

Minister Byamukama informed the parliamentary committee that disciplinary actions within the ministry have already commenced, including the interdiction of Permanent Secretary Waswa Bageya. The President’s directive is a continuation of his anti-corruption efforts, following previous actions against engineers involved in a multimillion-dollar expressway project.

These latest dismissals underscore the President’s commitment to combating corruption in public works, with further scrutiny and investigations anticipated as the government reviews the management and expenditure on major infrastructural developments. This purge signals a widening net in the President’s campaign against graft in the sector.

Source: Nile Post