Museveni Recruits Top Officials at Ministry of Works Amidst Infrastructure Concerns

President Yoweri Museveni has initiated a significant shake-up within the Ministry of Works and Transport, leading to the removal of at least four senior technocrats. This decision comes in response to mounting public criticism and the President’s own dissatisfaction with the state of Uganda’s road infrastructure.

The President has publicly expressed concern over administrative inefficiencies and project delays within the ministry, despite substantial budget allocations. This has led to a heightened focus on performance and accountability among government officials.

Sources indicate that Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya might be among those affected, although specific details about all dismissed officials remain undisclosed. This restructuring follows recent changes in the ministry’s leadership, including the appointment of Fred Byamukama to Cabinet and the redeployment of Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala.

President Museveni has recently emphasized a “term no sleep” approach to governance, signaling an expectation of tangible results from all accounting officers and technical heads. The Ministry of Works and Transport has long been a target of criticism regarding delayed projects, cost overruns, and inconsistent maintenance practices.

Specific concerns have been raised about transparency in land valuations for the Busega-Mpigi Expressway. Discrepancies in land parcel valuations have been noted, contributing to issues that have stalled the project, which is crucial for connectivity between Kampala and Mpigi. The project, partly funded by the African Development Bank, faced delays due to funding gaps, although additional funds were approved in late 2025 to ensure its completion.

While the exact identities of the dismissed officials are yet to be confirmed, it is understood that these changes are part of a broader performance review aimed at strengthening the technical leadership within infrastructure-related agencies.