Works Minister Byamukama Inspects Delayed Busega–Mpigi Expressway as Costs Soar, Corruption Probe Continues

KAMPALA – Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama on Tuesday inspected the delayed Busega–Mpigi Expressway, assuring the public that construction has resumed after government secured additional funding to revive the troubled project.

The 23.7-kilometre dual carriageway, designed to ease traffic congestion along the Kampala–Masaka highway and improve connectivity on the Northern Corridor, commenced in May 2020 and was initially scheduled for completion by December 2026. However, the project has suffered repeated delays due to land acquisition disputes, design changes and funding constraints.

Following the inspection, Byamukama said government was working to eliminate the remaining bottlenecks while ensuring the contractor maintained steady progress.

“Government has since secured additional funding and works have resumed. While we work towards resolving the project’s bottlenecks, we want to ensure that the contractor maintains steady progress towards the project delivery,” he posted on X.

Latest progress reports indicate the expressway is about 47 per cent complete, with nearly 80 per cent of project-affected property owners having been compensated.

The project has, however, come under intense scrutiny after its estimated cost surged from about Shs547 billion to more than Shs1.4 trillion, triggering concerns over value for money.

President Yoweri Museveni subsequently directed the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate allegations of corruption, including claims of embezzlement and irregular route alterations that reportedly inflated project costs.

As part of the ongoing investigations, two engineers — Edward Raymond Kiyaga and Dickens Ahimbisibwe — were suspended.

Construction is being undertaken by a joint venture led by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), with works progressing on sections including the Kyengera–Wakimese interchange, where embankment construction and road compaction are ongoing.

The minister’s visit drew mixed reactions from the public. While some praised his active supervision of the project and efforts to protect contractors from alleged interference by corrupt networks, others urged government to expedite construction and address prolonged traffic disruptions along the Kampala–Masaka highway, particularly around Mpigi.

The Busega–Mpigi Expressway remains one of Uganda’s flagship road infrastructure projects, but its escalating costs, missed timelines and corruption investigations continue to raise questions about project management and public accountability.

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