By Joseph Kiggundu
The Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, has claimed that unnamed “mafias” are plotting to undermine him after he launched efforts to address alleged corruption and inefficiencies within the ministry.
Byamukama, who was recently elevated from State Minister for Works to full Cabinet Minister in President Museveni’s reshuffle, said some individuals benefiting from government projects were uncomfortable with his approach to enforcing accountability.
Speaking during an inspection of ongoing road construction works, Byamukama said he had received reports that some people opposed to his reforms were planning to stop him.
“I have heard mafias saying that this ‘ka younger boy’ has come with a lot of energy and they’re plotting to put me down,” Byamukama said.
He, however, vowed that such efforts would not succeed, saying he had the authority and resources needed to deal with anyone who attempts to frustrate his work.
“For you it will take you ages to plan for me and me I will take you out of action in one day,” he said.
Byamukama said his focus would be on ending what he described as abuse of government resources through inflated project costs, unnecessary contract extensions and questionable claims by contractors.
He said the government had lost billions of shillings through collusion between some officials and contractors, practices he vowed to confront during his tenure.
“The matter of eating government money through price escalation, claims and extension of contracts has stopped,” Byamukama said.
The minister’s remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of major infrastructure projects, including the Busega-Mpigi Expressway and its access roads, following concerns over rising costs and delays.
President Museveni has previously raised concerns about the cost of the 23-kilometre Busega-Mpigi Expressway project and related access roads, questioning why the expenditure had increased significantly from initial estimates.
Byamukama said some officials within the ministry and contractors had taken advantage of government projects, warning that firms found engaging in corruption would face consequences, including possible blacklisting.
He made the remarks while inspecting works on the Namboole-Busega road corridor, where he said the government could no longer tolerate delays and financial losses on infrastructure projects.
The minister said he would adopt President Museveni’s “Kisanja no sleep” approach by pushing for faster implementation and tighter supervision of government programmes.
Byamukama replaced Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, who served as Works and Transport Minister for about seven years.
Since taking over the docket, Byamukama has signalled that his tenure will focus on tightening oversight of road projects, improving efficiency and addressing concerns over the cost and quality of infrastructure works.
However, the minister’s allegations of threats and opposition from unnamed individuals have not been independently verified, and he did not identify the people he referred to as “mafias.”