The corridors of power in Uganda are once again shaking after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni unleashed what insiders are calling one of the most humiliating crackdowns on senior government officials in recent years.In a dramatic move that has sent shockwaves through the security establishment, Museveni ordered Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, alongside senior police accounting boss Dr. Aggrey Wunyi and AIGP Felix Baryamwitsaki, onto forced leave over the explosive Shs31.37 billion CCTV maintenance scandal.But behind the official statements lies a deeper story — one insiders say pushed the President into fury and forced him to act swiftly against men once considered untouchable.
The President’s Fury
According to highly placed sources, Museveni became increasingly irritated after receiving intelligence reports that billions meant for maintaining Uganda’s national CCTV surveillance system had become trapped in a web of kickbacks, delayed approvals, and internal sabotage.“The President was very angry,” said a source familiar with the investigations. “He felt embarrassed because this is a security project he personally championed after the wave of assassinations and murders in the country.”The CCTV project, originally installed with heavy involvement from Chinese technology giant Huawei, became one of Museveni’s prized security investments after high-profile killings rocked Kampala between 2017 and 2019.The system was supposed to modernize crime detection and help security agencies monitor criminal networks. Billions were pumped into the project, and the President repeatedly defended the massive expenditure.
The Shs31 Billion Mystery
However, insiders now say the maintenance contracts became a feeding ground for powerful officials.At the centre of the storm is Dealan Associates Ltd, a contractor reportedly tasked with maintaining parts of the surveillance system after Huawei’s operational involvement reduced following international sanctions complications in 2019.According to preliminary findings, the Ministry of Finance released Shs31.37 billion intended for the contractor’s payment. But despite the money being available, the payments allegedly stalled mysteriously.Investigators now suspect that some officials allegedly demanded huge kickbacks before authorizing the release of the funds.A middleman identified as Hassan Serunjoji has reportedly become a key figure in the investigations. Sources claim he acted as the go-between in secret negotiations involving bribes linked to the stalled payments.The allegations have since triggered panic within the Internal Affairs Ministry and police leadership.
Why Musanyufu’s Name Shocked Many
For many Ugandans, however, the biggest shock is seeing Gen. Joseph Musanyufu dragged into the scandal.Musanyufu has long been viewed as one of Museveni’s most trusted technocrats — a disciplined military officer who rose through the ranks quietly without the political drama associated with many powerful figures. Yet insiders say the President was furious that such allegations could emerge under his watch.One source compared Museveni’s reaction to “chasing a village chicken thief.” “The President felt betrayed,” the source said. “He believed these are people who should protect public resources, not fight over commissions.”The forced leave announcement was delivered with unusual urgency, signaling that Museveni wanted immediate distance between the suspects and government operations as investigations intensify.
Aggrey Wunyi Under Pressure
Dr. Aggrey Wunyi’s role has attracted particular attention because of his powerful position as Undersecretary in charge of Police finances and support services.As accounting officer, Wunyi oversees procurement, budgeting, financial approvals, and logistical support within the Uganda Police Force — one of the country’s largest spending institutions.Investigators reportedly believe that key payment approvals linked to the CCTV maintenance contract passed through offices under his supervision.AIGP Felix Baryamwitsaki, another senior officer placed on leave, is also under scrutiny over his alleged involvement in decisions surrounding the surveillance system operations and contract management.
Public Anger Grows
But while State House appears determined to present the crackdown as proof of Museveni’s commitment to fighting corruption, many Ugandans remain skeptical. On social media and radio talk shows, citizens have been asking tough questions. Why forced leave instead of arrests?Why are small thieves quickly jailed while powerful officials are merely “rested” at home? And perhaps most importantly — are these the real masterminds, or just sacrificial lambs?Critics argue that corruption within government procurement systems has become too deeply rooted to involve only a few individuals. “This cannot happen without protection from very powerful people,” one political analyst said.Others believe the President may be trying to calm growing public anger over corruption scandals that continue to erupt despite repeated anti-corruption speeches.
National Security Fears
In recent years, Uganda has witnessed scandal after scandal involving billions of taxpayer money disappearing through inflated contracts, ghost procurements, and dubious compensation claims. The CCTV scandal is particularly sensitive because it touches directly on national security.Security experts warn that any disruption in maintaining the surveillance system could weaken crime detection capabilities across major urban centres.Already, insiders claim sections of the CCTV infrastructure have reportedly suffered technical failures due to delayed maintenance and disputes over payments.If true, this raises serious concerns about whether corruption may have compromised public safety itself.
More Big Names Could Emerge
Meanwhile, sources say investigators are now examining bank transactions, procurement records, and communication between officials and private contractors.More names could reportedly emerge as the probe deepens.
Inside government circles, tension is rising.
Some officials fear the scandal could expose a much larger network involving procurement cartels that operate quietly across ministries and security agencies.Others suspect the forced leave could simply be the beginning of a political survival battle among rival power centres within the state.
Will This Case Go Anywhere?
For now, Museveni appears determined to project authority and control. But whether the investigations will end in real prosecutions — or fade away like many previous scandals — remains the million-dollar question.Ugandans have seen dramatic anti-corruption announcements before, only for cases to disappear quietly once public attention shifts elsewhere.Still, the image of powerful men suddenly pushed aside has captured public imagination.For many ordinary citizens struggling with poverty and unemployment, the scandal represents a painful reminder of how billions meant for national development can allegedly vanish through elite corruption networks.As investigators continue digging into the Shs31 billion CCTV saga, one thing is already clear: the battle inside Uganda’s security and political establishment is far from over.And for Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, the once-trusted insider now finds himself at the centre of a storm that could redefine his legacy forever.
By Our Investigations Desk
FROM TRUSTED GENERAL TO STATE TARGET
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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