Gen Katumba Defends His Record at Works Ministry as IGG Probe Into Busega-Mpigi Scandal Intensifies

General Edward Katumba Wamala insists that the truth behind the Busega–Mpigi Expressway saga will ultimately clear his name, arguing that the project’s most controversial decisions were made long before the Ministry of Works and Transport assumed responsibility. He maintains that neither he nor the Permanent Secretary participated in the contracting processes, and that the alleged irregularities occurred during the period when the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) still held full control. “I haven’t done anything wrong and pray that investigations will prove that,” he says, adding that the interdicted Permanent Secretary is similarly being blamed for actions taken before the project was transferred. Before the Ministry took over the expressway under the RAPEX reforms on 23 December 2024, UNRA had already executed the major contractual and technical decisions. The agency signed the Civil Works Contract on 18 June 2019 and the Consultancy Services Contract on 19 December 2018. It issued the Notice to Commence on 22 January 2019, revised the road alignment on 10 July 2019, approved the Final Design Update on 8 October 2021, and authorized implementation of the expanded design on 8 February 2022. By the time the project moved to the Ministry, physical progress stood at roughly 46%, and the contractor had suspended works in August 2024 due to exhaustion of the original contract sum and lack of financing for the enlarged scope. The redesign UNRA approved dramatically reshaped the project. Dohwa Engineering Co. Ltd., working with IDCG Engineering Group and TB3 Global Ltd., expanded the expressway from 23.7 km to 26.7 km, increased interchanges from one to four, added 16.71 km of link roads and 4.59 km of service roads, introduced four toll plazas, 13 bridges, 76 box culverts, and extensive swamp treatment works. The update also aligned the road with the Standard Gauge Railway, avoided new industrial developments, met expressway standards for vertical grades and sight distances, and reduced community severance in areas such as Kiringete. These changes significantly altered engineering quantities and costs. As a result, the original contract amount of UGX 547.5 billion rose to an estimated UGX 1.37 trillion by October 2024. Earthworks and structural quantities surged: common excavation increased by 556%, swamp excavation by 1,574%, G15 material by 425%, G7 fill by 326%, dumped rock by 2,119%, and crusher run by 592%. Bridges grew from six to thirteen, and box culverts expanded from 618 meters to 3,156 meters. These figures, documented in the revised Bills of Quantities, illustrate the scale of transformation that occurred under UNRA’s stewardship. When Katumba assumed oversight in June 2021, he inherited a project already deeply altered. To establish value for money, he commissioned an independent review in January 2025. The committee’s April 2025 report recommended adjustments to rates and quantities, producing a lower cost estimate than that proposed by the Supervision Consultant. It also advised continuing with the existing contractor, warning that termination and re‑procurement would introduce severe delays and risks. A special audit by the African Development Bank in April 2025 reinforced this position, recommending direct contracting as the most practical route to completion. Government later secured additional financing from the African Development Bank Group, concluding loan negotiations on 3 July 2025 and signing agreements on 12 December 2025. Procurement for the expanded scope resulted in negotiations that reduced the contractor’s proposed price from UGX 1.98 trillion to UGX 1.398 trillion. The contractor also waived 11 of 13 claims worth UGX 279 billion, substantially lowering government exposure. The controversy surrounding the expressway has intensified national debate, with allegations of inflated costs, procurement irregularities, compensation disputes, questionable redesigns, and administrative lapses dominating public discourse. President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Inspector General of Government to conduct a thorough investigation, and Parliament’s Committee on Infrastructure is also examining the matter. Katumba welcomes these inquiries, urging authorities to publish their findings so the country can understand what truly happened. Reflecting on his tenure, the retiring General highlights achievements he believes define his legacy: timely delivery of numerous road projects, revival of the railway system, rejuvenation of Uganda Airlines, and improvements within the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. He emphasizes that in his forty‑seven years of service, he has never stolen public funds, even during periods when accountability systems were weak. As Uganda awaits the results of the multi‑trillion‑shilling probe, Katumba’s message remains firm: transparency is essential. He argues that the investigation is not merely administrative but a national obligation—one that will shape accountability for past decisions and safeguard the integrity of future infrastructure development. Only a full and honest account, he says, can restore public confidence and ensure progress.