MPs Grill Government Over Shs122 Billion Spent to Collect Shs129 Billion from Entebbe Expressway

Parliamentarians have expressed serious concerns about the financial efficiency of the Kampala-Entebbe expressway, questioning the government’s decision to spend Shs 122 billion on toll collection, which yielded only Shs 129 billion. The physical infrastructure committee is scrutinizing the expressway’s financial performance, especially after uncovering discrepancies in toll records and issues with its operational contracts.

During a meeting involving officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, former operator EGIS, and current operator Pinnaco, lawmakers were presented with the Auditor General’s report. A key point of contention was the cost-effectiveness of the tolling system, with MPs demanding a detailed breakdown of the expenses.

Internal audit findings revealed significant gaps in vehicle tracking. Reports indicated that hundreds, and in some instances thousands, of vehicles were not accounted for by the tolling system in different months, leading to estimated revenue shortfalls of millions of shillings. The committee has tasked the ministry to explain these missing records and the apparent loss of public funds.

Further scrutiny was directed at the procurement and management contracts for the expressway’s operation and maintenance. While ministry officials defended the performance-based contracts, noting deductions for failing to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), it was revealed that Shs 55 million has been consistently deducted due to the non-operational overload control system. Additionally, Shs 1.6 billion allocated for weigh-in-motion bridges remains unspent, with officials citing difficulties in finding suitable locations.

Lawmakers also questioned exemptions granted to certain vehicles from toll fees, demanding proof of statutory approvals for all such waivers. Concerns were also raised about withdrawals from the Automated Payment Collection Unit, intended only as a transit account for electronic payments. The committee is also examining the Shs 200 million spent on capacity building, questioning its impact given the continued reliance on external contractors.

In response to questions about why ministry officials were trained in India instead of France (where EGIS is headquartered), officials stated that India’s toll road environment more closely mirrors Uganda’s. The committee has requested a comprehensive report on the training beneficiaries, expenditures, and the application of acquired knowledge to the expressway’s management.

This investigation underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public infrastructure projects. The committee has indicated it will summon involved companies to clarify issues raised in the Auditor General’s report.