IGG clears works ministry PS Bageya, orders interdiction of top engineer
In a press statement issued Friday (October 23), Justice Naluzze said she communicated to the Head of Public Service and secretary to Cabinet, Ruth Nakyobe, informing her that her investigations established that Waiswa was not involved in the earlier decisions that resulted in the cost escalations.
In the same statement, the IGG directed Waiswa to interdict Eng. Isaac Wani, the commissioner for national roads, to pave the way for investigations into his alleged involvement in the escalation of the costs of the same project.
KAMAPLA - The Inspector General of Government, Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze, has cleared the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Waiswa Bageya, of any wrongdoing in the cost escalations of the construction of the Busega-Mpigi Expressway.
The 23.7-kilometre highway, which had earlier been projected to be completed by December 2026, kicked off in May 2020.
However, the cost of its construction escalated by more than 500% of the initial project cost—sh547.5 billion—on account of adjustments to the road design and its realignment from its original route.
In a press statement issued Friday (October 23), Justice Naluzze said she communicated to the Head of Public Service and secretary to Cabinet, Ruth Nakyobe, informing her that her investigations established that Waiswa was not involved in the earlier decisions that resulted in the cost escalations.
According to investigations, the project was transferred from the now-defunct Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to the Ministry of Works and Transport in 2024, following the Government's rationalisation programme of its agencies and public expenditure.
Orders interdiction
In the same statement, the IGG directed Waiswa to interdict Eng. Isaac Wani, the commissioner for national roads, to pave the way for investigations into his alleged involvement in the escalation of the costs of the same project.
Waiswa was also directed to make interim arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted discharge of the office during the period of interdiction.
“During investigations, the IG established that Eng. Isaac Wani was the Director of Network Planning and Engineering at the defunct UNRA when the costs for the construction of the project were escalated,” the statement said.
Article 230(2) of the Constitution and Section 13(6) of the IG Act, Cap 32, provide that “The Inspector General of Government may, during the course of his or her duties or as a consequence of his or her findings, make such orders and give such directions as are necessary and appropriate in the circumstances.”
Regulation 38(2) of the Public Service Commission Regulations says an officer who has been interdicted is prohibited from coming to work, and he or she is supposed to receive no less than one-half of his or her salary with effect from the date of interdiction until the matter is finalised.
Background
Friday’s development follows earlier investigations into the highway, which led to the suspension of engineers Edwin Raymond Kiyaga and Dickens Ahimbisibwe over allegations of embezzlement of project funds.
The Auditor General previously faulted UNRA for awarding the construction contract without adequate detailed designs, contributing to costly revisions and delays.
By May 2024, the original contract funds had been exhausted despite construction progress standing at approximately 41%.
In October 2025, Parliament approved additional financing of about sh898.5 billion to support completion of the project.