By Steven Ariong
The Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, has recently been moving around the country making statements about corruption and alleged mismanagement within the Ministry of Works and Transport. However, questions must also be asked about his oversight of the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), where Uganda is represented.
In my view, it is difficult to understand why the Minister would focus his attention on alleged corruption elsewhere while questions surrounding the management and accountability of funds within an organisation in which Uganda has a direct interest remain unanswered.
If there are serious allegations of financial mismanagement within the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority, then the Minister, as one of the officials responsible for representing Uganda’s interests, should be among those providing answers.
This is not about condemning anyone without evidence. Rather, it is about demanding accountability from public officials entrusted with protecting taxpayers’ money.
What Happened to the Alleged Shs6 Billion?
Reports and concerns have emerged regarding financial accountability within the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority, including claims that Uganda could be losing as much as Shs6 billion annually.
If such claims are accurate, then Ugandans deserve to know where this money is going, who is responsible for managing it, and why the relevant oversight authorities did not raise the alarm earlier.
The Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority was established under the 2007 Northern Corridor Agreement. It is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for coordinating and facilitating trade and transport along one of East Africa’s most important trade routes.
Its operations are supported through contributions and levies from member states, with Uganda and Kenya among the countries with significant interests in the organisation.
Given the public resources involved, strong financial controls, transparency and effective oversight should therefore be non-negotiable.
The Role of Uganda’s Representatives
The Northern Corridor organisation is closely linked to Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, which plays an important role in representing Uganda’s interests.
The interdicted Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Waiswa Bageya, was a member of the organisation’s Executive Committee. Such a position carries an important oversight responsibility, particularly regarding the use and management of funds and adherence to established policies and procedures.
This raises an important question: Were Uganda’s representatives adequately exercising their oversight responsibilities?
If financial irregularities or inefficiencies were taking place for an extended period, why were they not identified and reported by those representing Uganda?
That question deserves a clear answer.
Accountability Should Start at the Top
It would be premature and unfair to conclude that any individual participated in corruption without evidence from a competent investigation.
However, it is equally wrong to ignore legitimate questions simply because they involve senior government officials.
If allegations of financial loss at the Northern Corridor organisation are substantiated, then those who had oversight responsibilities should be called upon to explain what they knew, what action they took and whether they fulfilled their obligations to Uganda.
Minister Fred Byamukama and former Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya should therefore be asked to account for their roles and responsibilities in relation to the organisation.
Were they aware of the alleged financial problems?
Did they raise concerns?
Did they commission or demand investigations?
Did they report any suspected irregularities to the relevant authorities?
These are legitimate questions that deserve answers.
Uganda Must Protect Its Interests
Uganda contributes resources to regional institutions because they are expected to serve the country’s interests and facilitate economic development.
Ugandans should therefore not be left wondering whether their money is being properly managed.
The Minister of Works and Transport has a responsibility to protect Uganda’s interests within institutions under his ministry’s oversight. The same applies to senior officials who represent the country on boards and executive committees.
If there was a failure of oversight, those responsible should be held accountable. If there was no wrongdoing, then a transparent investigation should clear those who have been accused or questioned.
What Uganda cannot afford is silence.
The allegations surrounding the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority deserve an independent and comprehensive investigation. The public deserves to know whether the reported financial losses occurred, how they occurred, who was responsible, and what measures have been taken to prevent similar losses in the future.
Accountability should not depend on who is being investigated.
If the Works Ministry is demanding accountability from others, then it must also be prepared to answer questions about institutions and resources under its own oversight.
The writer is a senior veteran journalist.
