My woes will be gone by end of year, says Byandala

Embattled former transport minister Abraham Byandala has told his constituents in Katikamu North in Luwero district that his woes over the Katosi road saga will be gone by end of the year.


Byandala, who was charged with embezzlement before the Kololo based Anti-Corruption Court in 2015, said he is innocent and that he was just a victim of circumstances. He said the truth will soon prevail. 

"These other matter you are hearing about will end before the year ends," Byandala said yesterday. He made the remarks in Kasaala parish, Luwero sub-county where residents of four villages are facing eviction by an absentee landlord, George William Katumba. 

Byandala, who is serving his third term as Katikamu North MP also refuted allegations that he intends to step down in 2021. He said the false rumour is being propagated by ‘greedy' politicians in Luwero who are eying his seat.

At least four people who include Luwero district chairperson, Ronald Ndawula, have declared their interest to take over Byandala's in 2021. 

"I will stand again in 2021," Byandala said. 

Byandala urged the residents who are facing evictions to desist the move, saying that they are protected by the law.

The residents who were led by their chairperson, Isaac Nanzuka, accused Police and Luwero district local leaders of conniving with the absentee landlord to illegally evict them from their bibanja. 

Luwero deputy resident district commissioner (RDC), Hussein Kibazo said the district leaders had stopped the absentee landlord who was already surveying the disputed land.

Byandala's woes started after the IGG, in a report, revealed that he directed the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to expeditiously sign the sh165b Mukono-Katosi road deal with a non-existent contractor.  

According to a July 17, 2014 letter signed by IGG Justice Irene Mulyagonja, Byandala also directed the UNRA accounting officer to implement the contract for the civil works and upgrading of Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi-Nyenga road from gravel to bitumen.

It was established that Eutaw Construction Company, which won the tender, was not the real Eutaw based in the US, but was only used by conmen, a one Apollo Senkeeto who posed as Eutaw's country representative.