Former Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has broken his silence over the multi-billion-shilling road project scandals that have rocked the Ministry of Works and Transport, insisting he has nothing to hide and welcomes ongoing investigations into engineers accused of inflating project costs.
In a rare interview he gave to New Vision, the soft-spoken retired general dismissed suggestions that he benefited from the controversial contracts, maintaining that his conscience is clear and that the truth will ultimately vindicate him.
“I am innocent,” Gen. Katumba said.
“I have never taken a bribe in my life. I am as clean as a white man. Those making allegations against me should provide evidence because I know what I have done since joining the ministry.”
The minister was responding to growing public scrutiny following investigations into the procurement and implementation of major road infrastructure projects, particularly the controversial Kampala-Malaba highway contract whose estimated cost escalated dramatically over the years.
Why the Cost Rose
Gen. Katumba rejected claims that he presided over the cost escalation, explaining that the decisions responsible for the increase were taken long before the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) was merged into the Ministry of Works and Transport.
According to him, the project was initially estimated to cost Shs547 billion before undergoing several redesigns.
“The project moved from about Shs547 billion to nearly Shs1.3 trillion because UNRA kept redesigning the road and adding extra connections,” Katumba explained.
He emphasized that at the time these decisions were made, UNRA was operating as an autonomous agency reporting independently to the Ministry of Finance rather than directly to the Ministry of Works.
“UNRA was still independent. Those technical decisions were made before the rationalisation exercise. At that stage, the ministry did not have direct control over UNRA’s operations.”
The minister argued that attempts to blame him for decisions made before his ministry assumed responsibility amount to unfair political scapegoating.
Taking Charge After Rationalisation
Katumba said the situation changed only in December 2024 when government completed the rationalisation programme that dissolved UNRA and transferred its functions to the Ministry of Works and Transport.
He said one of his first actions after assuming direct supervision over the engineers was to order an independent technical review of the disputed project.
“I immediately instituted a technical investigation after taking over. I wanted to establish whether the figures being quoted reflected value for money.”
According to Gen Katumba Wamala who was transfered to Public Service as cabinet minister, the review team concluded that substantial savings could be achieved.
“The technical committee recommended reducing the project cost from around Shs1.3 trillion to approximately Shs1.08 trillion. We submitted those findings to government.”
Katumba noted that despite submitting the report, implementation stalled until President Yoweri Museveni personally directed that further scrutiny be undertaken.
“It was only after the President intervened that decisive action followed. Everything we had recommended was already on record.”
Engineers Under Investigation
Several engineers attached to the Ministry of Works and former UNRA structures are currently under investigation over allegations ranging from procurement irregularities and abuse of office to inflating project costs and manipulating technical specifications.
The investigations involve claims that project designs were repeatedly altered, increasing construction quantities and contract values without adequate justification.
Authorities are also examining whether additional interchanges, access roads and engineering variations were introduced in ways that significantly inflated the final project bill.
The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Parliament and other investigative agencies have since launched separate inquiries into the procurement process.
Some officials have already been questioned as investigators seek to determine whether criminal conduct occurred or whether the cost increases were justified by legitimate engineering requirements.
The scandal has renewed public concern about accountability in Uganda’s infrastructure sector, where successive Auditor General reports have highlighted weaknesses in procurement planning, contract management and project supervision.
“I Never Approved Those Engineers”
Gen. Katumba insisted that many of the officials now facing investigations were neither appointed nor directly supervised by him.
“I never sanctioned the engineers now under investigation,” he said.”My responsibility began after rationalisation. Once we assumed control, we started reviewing everything because we wanted transparency.”
He added that the investigations should be allowed to proceed independently without political interference.”I welcome the investigations because they will establish the facts. I believe they will clear me.”
The minister said he has fully cooperated with investigators and remains ready to provide any documentation required.
Ministry Responds
New Minister for Works Fred Byamukama has also defended the ministry’s efforts to restore accountability following the integration of UNRA into the ministry.Byamukama said government is determined to ensure that every infrastructure project delivers value for taxpayers’ money.
He noted that the ministry has strengthened oversight mechanisms and is working closely with investigative agencies to establish responsibility where procurement or engineering standards may have been compromised.
The minister emphasized that government supports ongoing investigations and will act on their recommendations in accordance with the law.
Wider Concerns
The controversy has reignited debate over governance of Uganda’s major infrastructure projects.
For years, Parliament, civil society organizations and oversight agencies have questioned why several strategic road projects have experienced significant cost escalations, delays and repeated contract variations.
Infrastructure experts argue that while changes in project scope can legitimately increase costs, repeated redesigns must be supported by transparent technical studies and subjected to rigorous independent review.
The merger of UNRA into the Ministry of Works was partly intended to improve coordination, strengthen accountability and reduce duplication in road management.
Government maintains that the reforms will enhance supervision and ensure better use of public resources.
Awaiting the Findings
As investigations continue, Gen. Katumba says he remains confident that the evidence will absolve him of wrongdoing.
He insists that his record in public service speaks for itself and that he has consistently acted in the national interest.
“I have served this country for many years with integrity,” he said.
“I am innocent. I have nothing to fear because I know I have never taken a bribe. The investigations should continue, and I believe the truth will come out.”
With inquiries by the Inspector General of Government and Parliament still underway, the findings are expected to determine whether criminal liability exists, identify any officials responsible for procurement irregularities and recommend reforms aimed at preventing similar controversies in future infrastructure projects.
Author Profile
- Mr. Stephen Kasozi Muwambi is a seasoned crime investigative writer, majoring in judicial-based stories. His two decades’ experience as a senior investigative journalist has made him one of the best to reckon on in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected]
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