MPs Detain Auditor General Officials Over Unaudited US$257 Million ITMS Project

Members of Parliament on the Committee on Physical Infrastructure have taken a drastic step, detaining two senior officials from the Office of the Auditor General. The reason? The glaring absence of an audit for the US$257 million Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS) project, which involves digital motor vehicle number plates, since its inception in 2021.

Anthony Kimuli, Director of Value for Money and Specialised Audit, and Martin Bamulumbye, Director of Central Government Audit, faced a grilling from the committee on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. MPs expressed shock and frustration over the lack of scrutiny for a project of such significant financial magnitude.

An explanation offered by Auditor General Edward Akol, read by Bamulumbye, stated that the audit was planned for the 2025 audit year. Akol had reportedly sought preliminary information from the Ministry of Works and Transport in June 2025. However, the ministry indicated the project was security-related, overseen by a multi-sectoral team under the Office of the President, and still in its pilot phase, with funding provided by the Russian company, Joint Stock Global Security Ltd.

This explanation did little to appease the legislators. MPs questioned the Auditor General’s office’s diligence in pursuing the audit and obtaining necessary documentation. They pointed out a significant gap between writing to the ministry in 2025 and a follow-up in September 2026.

Committee Chairperson Hon. Mwine Mpaka questioned the officials’ use of their legal powers to compel the release of documents, noting no reported denial. The lack of an independent audit was seen as a critical failure, depriving Parliament of essential insights into the project’s costs, implementation, and financial implications.

Despite acknowledging they were still seeking further documentation to guide their audit approach, the officials stated the ITMS audit was prioritized for January 2027. Unconvinced by their responses, the committee ordered them to record statements with the police and remain at Parliament until Auditor General Edward Akol appears to provide a personal account for the delay. The committee has also summoned Ministry of Finance officials to appear.

Source: Parliament of Uganda