The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has suspended two engineers over allegations of embezzlement of funds earmarked for the construction of the 23-kilometre Busega-Mpigi Expressway and its 20- kilometre access roads.
The suspension of the duo follows a directive issued by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala on July 1st.
According to a statement issued by the inspectorate on Tuesday, the suspended officials include Mr. Kiyaga Edwin Raymond and Mr. Ahimbisibwe Dickens.
“The directive issued by Lady Justice Naluzze was in accordance with instructions from President Yoweri Museveni, directing the immediate suspension of the two engineers to pave way for expeditious investigation of the allegations” the statement read.
According to the suspension letters issued individually by MoWT, the engineers are required to immediately hand over all government property, records, files, documents, equipment, and any other official items in their possession to their respective supervisors.
The officials have further been barred from accessing official office premises or carrying out any official duties unless expressly authorized.
“They are also required to remain available at all times to assist with investigations and any related administrative processes as and when required” the inspectorate said.
In a June 26th letter to the IGG Justice Aisha Naluzze Batoro, President Museveni expressed discontent with the delay in the completion of the project, yet the government had secured all the funds required for it’s construction.
“The Government borrowed UGX 600 billion from ADB to do the Expressway 100%. As of now only 40% of the work has been done but all the money was paid. What happened?” the President wrote.
Museveni further accused ministry engineers of altering the route to benefit from compensation.
“The corrupt Engineers altered the route of the road and avoided the route that was already compensated for and charted a new route going through their own lands that needed fresh compensation. A road that was supposed to cost UGX 600 billion is now being put at UGX 1.3 trillion. These thieves must be destroyed.”
The President consequently ordered that Engineers Edwin Raymond Kiyaga, Dickens Ahimbisibwe and Patrick Muleme be suspended and investigated, while the Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya, was sent on leave for the duration of the investigations.
