KAMPALA – Members of Parliament have expressed concern after an internal audit report revealed that 10,446 vehicles could not be reconciled in the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway’s electronic toll records, raising questions about revenue collection and the integrity of the tolling system.
According to the audit findings, 586 vehicles could not be accounted for in November 2024, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of Shs407 million. The report further indicates that 2,860 vehicles were missing from toll records in December 2025, while more than 7,000 vehicles could not be reconciled in May 2026, translating into suspected revenue losses exceeding Shs1 billion.
The findings prompted the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure to demand an explanation from the Ministry of Works and Transport over discrepancies in toll revenue collections, missing vehicle records and the management of billions of shillings invested in Uganda’s first toll road.
During a meeting held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, the committee, chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka, questioned officials led by the Minister of State for Works, Hon. Fred Byamukama, alongside representatives from expressway operator EGIS and contractor Pinnacle, as lawmakers examined the Auditor General’s Report for the 2024/25 Financial Year.
The audit findings cast doubt on the integrity, reliability and security of the electronic toll collection system.
Minister Byamukama told the committee that the Government secured a US$350 million (approximately Shs1.2 trillion) loan in 2021 to finance the construction of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway.
Lawmakers also scrutinised the financial performance of the tolling system after the ministry disclosed that approximately Shs129 billion had been collected in toll revenue since operations began, while about Shs122 billion had already been paid to the contractor responsible for operating and maintaining the toll system.
Hon. James Waluswaka, MP for Bunyole West County, questioned whether the arrangement represented value for taxpayers.
“When almost as much money goes to the contractor as what Government collects from motorists, Parliament must ask whether Ugandans are obtaining value for money from this investment,” he said.
The ministry explained that payments under the performance-based maintenance contract are tied to agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), with deductions imposed whenever contractors fail to meet required standards.
Officials said penalties have been applied for shortcomings including non-functional street lighting, damaged guardrails, defective road signs, poor road cleanliness and delays in implementing the overload control system.
The committee was informed that approximately Shs55 million continues to be deducted because the overload control system remains incomplete.
Legislators also questioned why Shs1.6 billion allocated for the installation of weigh-in-motion bridges had not been utilised.
Ministry engineer Isaac Wani attributed the delay to unsuitable terrain near existing toll plazas. He explained that the funds had since been rolled into a subsequent contract to facilitate the installation of fixed weighbridges at toll plazas and weigh-in-motion equipment along the Northern Bypass.
Members of Parliament argued that axle-load enforcement is critical to protecting the structural integrity and lifespan of the expressway and questioned why such an essential component had been delayed while other project works had been completed.
The committee further demanded accountability for vehicles exempted from paying toll fees, seeking clarification on whether the exemptions were supported by the necessary legal instruments. MPs warned that discretionary exemptions without a clear legal basis could undermine transparency and accountability.
Lawmakers also raised concerns over transactions through the Automated Payment Collection Unit account, which temporarily receives electronic toll payments before they are transferred to the Consolidated Fund.
Responding to the concerns, the Ministry’s Undersecretary, Barbara Namugambe, requested more time to reconcile the records.
“I need more time to compile and submit all the factual reports required by this committee,” she said.
Deputy Chairperson of the committee and Ayivu Division East MP, Hon. William Tiyo, also questioned the ministry’s decision to spend more than Shs200 million on staff training in India despite the supervising contractor being a French company.
He demanded evidence that the training had improved the management and operation of the expressway.
The committee directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to submit a comprehensive report by Wednesday, August 12, 2026, detailing the beneficiaries of the training, course content, expenditure and measurable outcomes, alongside explanations for the discrepancies in toll collections and missing vehicle records.
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