The Ministry of Works and Transport has pleaded to the Parliamentary Budget Committee to expedite the process of reallocating funds initially designated for the recently rationalized Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) prior to its return to the Works Ministry.

During a committee appearance, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala explained that the ministry is struggling with a debt burden of 1.3 trillion shillings inherited from UNRA. 

He emphasized that this financial strain is crippling the ministry’s operations, bringing all work to a halt.

The Minister further revealed that many contractors have suspended their work, significantly delaying progress on nearly all road projects.

On January 28, 2025, the Ministry of Finance presented a motion in Parliament to reallocate funds from institutions affected by RAPEX. 

This would enable the receiving ministries to access and utilize the reallocated budgets. 

The motion was referred by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa to the Budget Committee for review and report back to Parliament for approval.

By Francis Lubega

5 February 2025

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