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I stand tall after leaving works ministry—Gen Katumba
Katumba, who is now the minister of public service, made the remarks at the Ministry of Works and Transport headquarters in Kampala on Thursday (June 10) while handing over office to Fred Byamukama.
Outgoing works and transport minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala handing over to Fred Byamukama at the ministry's headquarters. (Credit: Ministry of Works)
By: Umaru Kashaka, Journalist @New Vision
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Outgoing works and transport minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has said he can stand tall in the knowledge that he never mismanaged funds while in charge of the docket.
Katumba, who is now the minister of public service, made the remarks at the Ministry of Works and Transport headquarters in Kampala on Thursday (June 10) while handing over office to Fred Byamukama.
He thanked the ministry’s permanent secretary, Waiswa Bageya, undersecretary Barbara Namugambe and their team for protecting him from signing any documents to do with money, which can be a minefield of legal problems.
“I thank the permanent secretary and the undersecretary and your team for protecting me because you have not made me sign any document [to do with money]. I can tell you and can very freely speak here that even as I leave, even if they started investigations into the mismanagement of funds in the ministry, I would just stand tall because these two have been there; they have protected me,” he said, referring to Waiswa and Namugembe.
Katumba went on to advise his successor (Byamukama) to also avoid anything to do with accountability issues of the ministry. "These people (Waiswa and Namugembe), that is their responsibility. Task them…make them deliver, make them account; but don’t get into negotiating and signing contracts.”
Byamukama was a minister of state for transport in the previous Cabinet of 2021-2026. He was replaced by Julius Maganda Wandera, while Musa Ecweru was replaced by Siraji Musa Ali as works state minister. Ecweru was dropped as a minister.
Veteran journalist and spokesperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda, Andrew Mwenda, recently said the Ministry of Works and Transport was one area that needed urgent change.
He said the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, expressed his “frustration with the mess” at Uganda Airlines, which was solved by appointing an experienced chief executive officer, Girma Wake.
“Then he (Muhoozi) has promised to take over all procurement for roads. The people at the ministry slowing down work, obstructing presidential directives, etc., should take notice. And there is the issue of the Standard Gauge Railway given to a Turkish company at exorbitant costs, whose contract he has said he will cancel,” Mwenda stated in an article dated May 17, 2026.
Incoming works and transport minister Fred Byamukama giving the outgoing minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala a token of appreciation during the handover. (Credit: Ministry of Works)
Katumba went on to advise his successor (Byamukama) to also avoid anything to do with accountability issues of the ministry. "These people (Waiswa and Namugembe), that is their responsibility. Task them…make them deliver, make them account; but don’t get into negotiating and signing contracts.”
Byamukama was a minister of state for transport in the previous Cabinet of 2021-2026. He was replaced by Julius Maganda Wandera, while Musa Ecweru was replaced by Siraji Musa Ali as works state minister. Ecweru was dropped as a minister.
Veteran journalist and spokesperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda, Andrew Mwenda, recently said the Ministry of Works and Transport was one area that needed urgent change.
He said the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, expressed his “frustration with the mess” at Uganda Airlines, which was solved by appointing an experienced chief executive officer, Girma Wake.
“Then he (Muhoozi) has promised to take over all procurement for roads. The people at the ministry slowing down work, obstructing presidential directives, etc., should take notice. And there is the issue of the Standard Gauge Railway given to a Turkish company at exorbitant costs, whose contract he has said he will cancel,” Mwenda stated in an article dated May 17, 2026.
Mwenda added, “These frustrations are going to lead to yet another showdown at KCCA (Kampala Capital City Authority) and the Ministry of Works if officials there don’t style up.”
The Ministry of Works and Transport is the Government institution responsible for strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, policy formulation, standards development, regulation, development, operation, and maintenance of public works, transport infrastructure and services.
In addition, it has been designated as the lead agency of the Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services programme as per the programme-based approach to planning and budgeting under the Fourth National Development Plan.
The ministry plays a critical role in the development of an integrated and self-sustaining economy by steering the programme to build and maintain strategic sustainable transport infrastructure and services to support increased economic productivity of the country.
The Ministry of Works and Transport is the Government institution responsible for strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, policy formulation, standards development, regulation, development, operation, and maintenance of public works, transport infrastructure and services.
In addition, it has been designated as the lead agency of the Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services programme as per the programme-based approach to planning and budgeting under the Fourth National Development Plan.
The ministry plays a critical role in the development of an integrated and self-sustaining economy by steering the programme to build and maintain strategic sustainable transport infrastructure and services to support increased economic productivity of the country.