The Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure has called on government to take over the operations of the Kampala – Entebee Expressway and investigate alleged failures in its management.
In the committee’s report presented to the House by the chairperson, Hon. Mwine Mpaka on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, the legislators recommended that the Ministry of Works and Transport immediately take over the operations and maintenance of the Expressway, arguing that this will reduce expenditure on private contractual arrangements and protect revenue needed to repay the loan used to finance the road.
The committee in its orientation observed that the management of the Expressway continued relying on cash transactions, observed audit reports, contractor cost issues, procurement concerns and public finance management issues among others.
“These concerns left the committee with limited assurance regarding the management of the project and raised questions as to whether the loan would be repaid as envisaged and whether the project reflected value for money,” Mpaka said.
The committee members in their recommendations stated that the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) take over toll collections and introduce an electronic payment system, with all collections deposited into an account designated for repayment of the Expressway loan.
“The committee calls for investigations into the management of the Expressway including a forensic audit of its operations and revenue collections and scrutiny of the extension of a contract with Pinnacle Security Limited at a reported Shs36 billion,” Mpaka said.
On the financial loss occasioned as a result of engaging a private operator, the MPs recommended that the former UNRA accounting officer and board be investigated and prosecuted for allegedly failing to exercise their oversight role.
Mwine Mpaka said that there is need to investigation and prosecute the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport who issued the extension of the Pinnacle Security Limited contract at a reported cost of Shs36 billion for one year without approval from the Attorney General, contrary to Article 119(5) of the Constitution.
Gulu City Woman Representative, Hon. Betty Aol Ochan said Uganda is losing revenue because of weak systems and excessive reliance on cash payments.
She called for greater use of digital payments to reduce losses, saying, ‘this digital will help also to reduce the losses’.
Hon. Juliet Kyinyamatama (NRM, Rakai District) backed the call for a forensic audit describing the absence of a comprehensive audit over the years as “a big shocker”.
“I think after doing a forensic audit, this is when we should take these decisions. So, for example, terminating the contract and letting the Ministry of Works take over,” she said.
Bukuya County MP, Hon. Michael Bukenya calling for the immediate suspension of the current operations while investigations are conducted.
Budadiri County East MP, Hon. Julius Nakiyi said Parliament should use the matter to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption and questioned whether the Expressway is generating enough revenue to recover its investment.
He also called for URA to investigate tax issues surrounding the operator and recover any taxes found to be due.
Kassanda County North MP, Hon. Patrick Oshabe urged the Auditor General to use the committee’s findings as a model for future audits of public entities.
“I would like to implore our Auditor General and his team to pick this report and use it as a way to report about entities in this Parliament. This should be the template,” Oshabe said.
The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi supported scrutiny of the Expressway but cautioned that government should first establish whether the Ministry of Works and Transport has the capacity to manage it.
Following a request by the Works Minister, Hon. Fred Byamukama for more time to study the report and the Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja supporting the request, the Speaker, Jacob Marksons Oboth proposed a working group to examine the recommendations.
However, Mpaka argued that Parliament should consider the recommendations rather than create a separate mechanism.
The Speaker ruled that the recommendations will be considered by the whole House on Thursday, 27 August 2026.
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