The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, has cleared the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr Waiswa Bageya, of wrongdoing in the cost escalations surrounding the Busega–Mpigi Expressway project, while directing the immediate interdiction of Engineer Isaac Wani, the Commissioner for National Roads, pending investigations into his alleged involvement.
In a press statement dated October 23, 2026, the IGG said investigations had established that Bageya was not involved in the earlier decisions that resulted in the escalation of the project’s construction costs.
The IGG communicated the findings to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Mrs Ruth Nakyobe Mbonye, clearing Bageya to resume his duties as Permanent Secretary.
According to the statement, the project was transferred from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to the Ministry of Works and Transport in 2024 following the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (PAPEX) exercise.
The investigations further established that Bageya initiated technical audits, sought funding approval and undertook procurement processes aimed at getting the project back on track after it was transferred to the ministry.
Based on these findings, the IGG concluded that Bageya was not responsible for the earlier decisions that led to the cost escalations and cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Wani Faces Interdiction
In a separate directive contained in the same statement, the IGG ordered the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport to immediately interdict Engineer Isaac Wani, the Commissioner for National Roads, to pave the way for investigations into his alleged involvement in the escalation of construction costs for the Busega–Mpigi Expressway project.
The Permanent Secretary was also directed to make interim arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted discharge of the office’s duties during the period of interdiction.
The IGG’s statement indicates that investigations established that Wani was serving as Director of Network Planning and Engineering at the defunct UNRA when the costs of constructing the expressway project were escalated.
However, the directive to interdict Wani is intended to facilitate further investigations into his alleged involvement and does not, in itself, establish wrongdoing.
The latest development marks a significant step in the ongoing examination of the circumstances surrounding the cost escalations of the Busega–Mpigi Expressway project, with the IGG clearing one senior official while ordering action against another to facilitate further investigations.
More details to follow.
