news 18 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Minister Orders Arrest of Arua City Officials Over Stalled Bridge Project
Uganda's Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, has ordered the arrest of two Arua City technical officials following an investigation into a stalled bridge construction project. The officials failed to account for Shs266 million allegedly spent on the Owoko Bridge, which has remained incomplete for three years. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/minister-orders-arrest-of-arua-city-officials-over-stalled-bridge-5600210
Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, has taken decisive action by ordering the arrest of Arua City Engineer Charles Omona and Procurement Officer Jimmy Omale. The arrests occurred on Friday during the Minister’s tour of road infrastructure projects.
Officials Omona and Omale were apprehended after they could not provide satisfactory explanations for the prolonged delay in the construction of Owoko Bridge. The bridge, located in Nyo village, Oluko Sub-county, was slated for completion three years ago but remains unfinished.
During his on-site inspection, Minister Byamukama revealed that a significant sum of Shs266 million has already been disbursed for the project, yet there is no tangible progress to show. He questioned the officials about the repeated renewal of the contractor’s contract despite consistent failures to deliver.
Further irregularities were uncovered, including allegations that the contractor used substandard materials, opting for 10mm bars instead of the specified 16mm bars. Of the Shs586 million allocated, Shs266 million was reportedly spent without any demonstrable work.
Unable to provide adequate justifications, the Minister instructed the District Police Commander to arrest the two officials for mismanagement of government funds. They were subsequently taken to Arua Police Station.
Earlier in his tour, Minister Byamukama announced that the rehabilitation of the 102km Nebbi-Arua road and Ora Bridge, a Shs321 billion project, is set to commence next month. This major undertaking will be executed by China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co Ltd and will also encompass improvements to other key roads within Arua City.
The Minister’s inspection tour began on Thursday, covering oil roads in Buliisa and extending to Pakwach. His itinerary also includes visits to road projects in Koboko, Yumbe, and Moyo.