The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala, has cleared Ministry of Works and Transport Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa of wrongdoing in the cost escalations of the Busega-Mpigi Expressway project, while ordering the interdiction of National Roads Commissioner Eng. Isaac Wani pending investigations into his alleged involvement.
In a press statement dated October 23, 2026, the Ministry of Works and Transport said the IGG had communicated her findings to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Ruth Nakyobe Mbonye, clearing Bageya to resume work.
The investigations established that Bageya was not involved in the earlier decisions that resulted in the escalation of the project’s construction costs, according to the statement.
The IGG found that the project was transferred to the Ministry of Works and Transport in 2024 from the defunct Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) following the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) exercise.
After the transfer, Bageya initiated technical audits, funding approval and procurement processes intended to get the project back on track.
“Therefore, the IGG has cleared Mr. Bageya of any wrongdoing,” the statement said.
However, the investigations have taken a different turn for Wani, who served as Director of Network Planning and Engineering at UNRA when the costs of the expressway project were escalated.
The IGG has directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport to immediately interdict Wani to allow investigations into his alleged involvement in the cost escalations.
The Permanent Secretary has also been instructed to make interim arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted discharge of the National Roads Commissioner’s duties during the period of interdiction.
The IGG said the action was necessary to protect the integrity of the investigations and prevent possible interference by an officer whose conduct is under scrutiny.
Citing Article 230(2) of the 1995 Constitution and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, the statement said the IGG had the authority to issue orders and directions considered necessary in the course of carrying out her duties or following her findings.
The cited provisions state that the Inspector General of Government may, during the course of her duties or as a consequence of her findings, “make such orders and give such directions as are necessary and appropriate in the circumstances.”
The statement added that public interest required officers under investigation to be suspended from exercising their official powers and functions where necessary to prevent interference with the process.
The Busega-Mpigi Expressway is a major road infrastructure project intended to improve connectivity along the Kampala-Mpigi corridor. The investigation into its cost escalations raises questions about the decisions made during its implementation under the former roads authority and the subsequent transfer of responsibilities to the Ministry of Works and Transport.
The IGG’s findings, as communicated in the statement, distinguish between Bageya’s actions after the project was transferred to the ministry and Wani’s role at UNRA when the costs escalated.
While Bageya has been cleared and authorised to resume work, Wani’s interdiction is an administrative measure pending investigations and does not, in itself, establish wrongdoing.
