Members of the Parliament of Uganda have raised alarm over the sharp rise in the cost of constructing the Busega–Mpigi Expressway, warning of a growing burden on taxpayers.
The project’s cost has escalated from an initial Shs464 billion to over Shs1.2 trillion, prompting the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, chaired by Dan Kimosho, to call for a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Lawmakers expressed concern that failure to establish accountability for the cost increments could set a dangerous precedent, potentially leading to further overruns in future government projects.
Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, led by Minister Katumba Wamala, attributed the increase to major changes in the project’s design and scope. These include revised road alignments, additional interchanges, and expanded connections intended to improve traffic flow and long-term efficiency.
Despite the explanation, MPs insist that a detailed audit is necessary to determine whether the changes were justified and properly managed.
The Busega–Mpigi Expressway is a key infrastructure project expected to ease congestion along the Kampala–Masaka highway, but the rising costs have now shifted focus to transparency, value for money, and prudent use of public resources.
As scrutiny intensifies, Parliament is expected to push for clearer accountability measures to ensure such significant cost variations are adequately explained and controlled.
