Busega–Mpigi Expressway: Why Parliament's Inquiry Must Continue Alongside Criminal Investigations

Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee has been advised to halt its investigation into the Busega–Mpigi Expressway, as security agencies are reportedly already examining the project. While the intention may be to prevent duplication, this decision risks undermining two critical, yet separate, public oversight functions. The parliamentary committee’s focus was on identifying the reasons behind delays and cost overruns, including alleged design flaws, scope changes, and procurement issues initiated before design finalization. These are significant concerns but do not inherently prove criminal activity.

A criminal investigation seeks to determine if laws were broken, focusing on potential theft, fraud, collusion, or abuse of office. The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) is indeed investigating alleged embezzlement and value-for-money concerns, which is a necessary step. This process involves tracing funds, gathering evidence, and potentially leading to prosecution.

However, engineering forensics addresses a different question: how did the project break down from a technical standpoint? This involves reconstructing the project’s lifecycle, from initial planning and feasibility studies to design, construction, and operation. Preliminary findings suggest issues with incomplete interchanges, omitted facilities, safety concerns at the terminus, and alignment changes, alongside procurement starting before the design was finalized. An engineering investigation must delve into why the original design was accepted, what necessitated revisions, the verification of new quantities and costs, and the authorization of early procurement.

Such inquiries may uncover criminal acts, but they can also reveal a cascade of technical errors, fragmented decision-making, or inadequate institutional controls. Complex infrastructure projects often fail due to a combination of factors rather than a single event. If investigations only seek a “thief,” the systemic issues that enabled the problem might be overlooked.

Therefore, the existence of a criminal investigation should not automatically preclude Parliament’s inquiry. Instead, coordination between the different investigating bodies is essential. Parliament’s 202 questions can be structured to explore the original design, authorized changes, actual construction and payments, and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers also has a role to play in providing independent technical expertise to aid public accountability.

Uganda requires answers to both the “who broke the law?” and the “how did it break down?” questions. Punishing wrongdoing and ensuring future projects are designed, procured, and financed effectively necessitates a comprehensive understanding derived from both types of investigation. The Busega–Mpigi Expressway project demands both rigorous criminal scrutiny and thorough engineering analysis to ensure accountability and prevent future failures.