infrastructure 24 March 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Parliament Probes Busega-Mpigi Expressway Cost Surge from Shs547B to Shs1.2T
Uganda's Parliament has raised alarms over the Busega-Mpigi Expressway's cost doubling to over Shs1.2 trillion with minimal progress, questioning design changes and contractor claims during a meeting with Works Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala. Lawmakers demanded the original contract for investigation amid ongoing negotiations. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4309/cost-busega-mpigi-expressway-doubles-little-progress-made
Ugandan lawmakers voiced strong concerns about the Busega-Mpigi Expressway project, whose contract price has ballooned from Shs547.5 billion to more than Shs1.2 trillion despite limited advancement.
The Physical Infrastructure Committee, led by Hon. Dan Kimosho, grilled officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, including Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, on March 24, 2026. The session focused on the 2026/2027 Ministerial Policy Statement.
Gen. Katumba attributed the escalation to design modifications, such as updated road alignments, interchanges, and extra connecting roads. Engineer-in-Chief Stephen Kitonsa noted a technical review team validated the new figure.
Kimosho rejected the technical justification, calling the doubling suspicious and demanding accountability for potential financial losses. ‘This is science, not gambling,’ he stated, hinting at irregularities.
Negotiations with the contractor are still underway, even after Parliament approved extra funds. The contractor’s initial Shs578 billion claim for delays and idle equipment was bargained down to Shs78 billion.
The 23.7km expressway aims to relieve congestion on the Kampala-Masaka Highway but stalled due to funding issues before African Development Bank support. MPs like Hon. Nathan Byanyima and Hon. Stella Atyang criticized delays and poor bargaining, warning of further risks.
The committee ordered the ministry to provide the original contract for deeper scrutiny.
Source: Parliament of Uganda