The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has cleared Ministry of Works and Transport Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa of wrongdoing in the cost escalation of the Busoga-Mpigi Expressway project, while ordering the interdiction of Commissioner for National Roads Engineer Isaac Wani pending investigations into his alleged involvement.
In a press statement dated October 23, 2026, the Inspector General of Government, Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, said investigations had established that Bageya was not involved in the earlier decisions that led to the escalation of the project’s construction costs.
The IGG subsequently communicated the findings to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Ruth Nakyobe Mbonye, clearing Bageya to resume his duties.
According to the investigations, the project was transferred from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to the Ministry of Works and Transport in 2024 following the government’s Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) exercise.
The Inspectorate established that after the transfer, Bageya initiated technical audits, funding approval and procurement processes aimed at getting the project back on track.
The IGG therefore found no wrongdoing on the part of the Permanent Secretary and cleared him to return to work.
Wani ordered to step aside
In a separate directive, the IGG ordered the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport to immediately interdict Engineer Isaac Wani, the Commissioner for National Roads, to pave the way for investigations into his alleged role in the escalation of the project’s construction costs.
Investigators established that Wani was the Director of Network Planning and Engineering at the now-defunct UNRA when the project’s costs were escalated.
The interdiction is intended to facilitate investigations without interference. The Permanent Secretary has also been directed to make interim arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted performance of the Commissioner’s duties during the period.
Citing Article 230(2) of the 1995 Constitution and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, Cap 32, the IGG said the law empowers the Inspector General of Government to issue orders and directions considered necessary and appropriate in the circumstances.
The statement emphasised that public interest requires an officer under investigation to be suspended from exercising the powers and functions of their office to prevent possible interference with investigations.
The latest developments come amid scrutiny of the cost escalation of the Busoga-Mpigi Expressway project, with the Inspectorate seeking to establish individual responsibility for decisions made during its implementation.
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