Published on 28/01/2025
Lawmakers on the Parliament’s Budget Committee have criticized the Ministry of Works and Transport for mishandling the transition of former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and Uganda Road Fund (URF) staff.
Despite reports of UGX 196 billion in unpaid terminal benefits, the affected workers were abruptly laid off without compensation. Meanwhile, those retained are subjected to precarious 1- to 2-month contracts. The committee’s condemnation highlights the Ministry’s failure to ensure fair treatment for its employees.
Leading the criticism, Dickson Kateshumbwa (Sheema Municipality) questioned discrepancies in the terminal benefits figures, with the Ministry of Public Service reporting UGX196.744 billion, while the Ministry of Works and Transport valued them at UGX169 billion.
“We are wondering about the discrepancies between these figures. Which one do we take? The Solicitor General has reportedly cleared UGX196.744 billion, yet the Ministry of Works cites UGX169 billion,” said Kateshumbwa.
Tony Awany, Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee, called for expedited payment of the terminal benefits and recommended that UGX169 billion be included in the 2025/26 budget to address the issue. He noted that verification of the benefits is ongoing, with files yet to be sent to the Ministry of Public Service for clearance and the Ministry of Finance for approval.
Kateshumbwa further criticized the selective rehiring process, citing unfair practices in awarding contracts to former staff. “These are Ugandans who have been removed from their jobs without pay, and even those rehired are given only one- or two-month contracts,” he lamented.
Rosemary Nyakikongoro (Sheema DWR) raised concerns about stalled road projects previously handled by UNRA, questioning the Ministry’s readiness to take over. “Since UNRA was merged, most road projects are at a standstill, and MPs are being blamed. How prepared is the Ministry to handle these roads?” she asked.
Road Infrastructure Budget Shortfalls
Awany presented data showing that the national roads development program has been allocated UGX3.85 trillion for 2025/26, including debt repayment by June 2025. However, with an expected budget increase from UGX1.782 trillion in 2024/25 to UGX2.4 trillion in 2025/26, a shortfall of UGX1.4 trillion remains. This will result in budget cuts affecting 34 out of 46 projects.
Awany also revealed that arrears and unpaid certificates are inadequately funded. UNRA entered the 2024/25 financial year with debts of UGX970.7 billion for development and UGX37.78 billion for maintenance, yet only UGX31 billion was provided for arrears clearance in 2023/24.
“The growing debt is a result of poor budgeting and risks litigation and penalties. Government must urgently allocate additional resources to clear these debts,” Awany stated.
Auditor General’s Findings
The Auditor General’s 2023/24 report highlighted that UNRA disclosed debts totaling UGX997.722 billion, with UGX781 million outstanding for over five years. The delays in settling obligations resulted in UGX27.660 billion in interest charges, and ten contractors with unpaid certificates worth UGX299.32 billion had suspended work as of November 2024.
The report also revealed that defects were found in five out of six inspected UNRA projects worth UGX236 billion, including impassable road sections, poorly compacted gravel, and inadequate drainage systems.
Lawmakers emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to restore public confidence in Uganda’s road infrastructure projects and ensure fair treatment of former UNRA and URF staff.
