The Minister of State for Works, Hon. Musa Ecweru, has attributed the worsening condition of roads across Uganda to a staggering Shs1.3 trillion debt inherited from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), now under the rationalised Ministry of Works and Transport.
Ecweru made the revelation during a heated debate in Parliament as lawmakers scrutinised the 2025/2026 budget priorities presented in a report by the Committee on Physical Infrastructure.
He explained that much of the debt was owed to contractors for incomplete road works, citing the Mityana–Mubende road as a case where the contractor, Energo, is demanding Shs60 billion and has faced legal challenges over unpaid fuel suppliers and loans.
“UNRA’s role was primarily procurement, not actual construction or repair. Unfortunately, delays in payments have forced some contractors to seek legal redress and even led to confiscation of their equipment,” Ecweru said.
However, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa criticized the minister’s remarks, calling them dismissive of the significant role UNRA played over the years. “You make it seem like we appropriated money for nothing. UNRA engineers were on the ground and doing actual work. Let’s give credit where it’s due,” Tayebwa charged.
Committee chair Hon. Tonny Awany further revealed that many road projects have faced delays and ballooning costs due to poor designs and revisions. He singled out the Busega–Mpigi Expressway, whose cost shot up from Shs547 billion to Shs1.3 trillion, yet physical progress stands at just 40%.
Awany also flagged losses in commitment fees, including Shs6 billion already spent on the stalled Kampala–Jinja Expressway project.
MPs from various regions expressed concern over neglected road projects. Otuke County MP, Hon. Paul Omara, questioned why the fully planned 179km Lira–Aloi–Kotido–Abim road had disappeared from the National Development Plan. Buhweju County MP, Hon. Francis Mwijukye, decried the exclusion of the Buhweju–Bushenyi road despite the government having signed a contractor agreement.
Bukimbiri County MP, Hon. Eddie Kwizera, urged the ministry to be realistic with road priorities. “We have 65 roads on the list—same as last year. Why not focus on what we can afford instead of exciting Ugandans with unfulfilled promises?” he said, questioning whether road selection is based on merit or political connections.