The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, has cleared Ministry of Works and Transport Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa of wrongdoing in the cost escalation of the Busega-Mpigi Expressway project and directed the immediate interdiction of Commissioner for National Roads Engineer Isaac Wani pending investigations into his alleged involvement.

In a press statement dated October 23, the Inspectorate of Government (IG) said investigations established that Waiswa was not involved in the earlier decisions that resulted in the escalation of the project's construction costs.

The IGG communicated the findings to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Ruth Nakyobe Mbonye, informing her that Waiswa had been cleared to resume work.

According to the Inspectorate, the Busega-Mpigi Expressway 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 (PAPEX) exercise.

The investigations further established that, after the transfer, Waiswa initiated technical audits, funding approval and procurement processes aimed at getting the project back on track.

Based on these findings, the IGG cleared Waiswa of any wrongdoing in relation to the project's cost escalation.

In a separate directive, the IGG ordered the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport to immediately interdict Engineer Isaac Wani, the Commissioner for National Roads, to pave the way for investigations into his alleged involvement in the escalation of the project's costs.

The Permanent Secretary was also directed to make interim arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted discharge of the office's duties during Wani's period of interdiction.

The Inspectorate said investigations established that Wani was serving as Director of Network Planning and Engineering at the defunct UNRA when the costs of constructing the Busega-Mpigi Expressway were escalated.

However, the directive to interdict Wani is intended to facilitate investigations into his alleged involvement. The press statement does not declare him guilty of wrongdoing.

To support its directive, the IGG cited Article 230(2) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, Cap 32. These provisions empower the Inspector General of Government to make orders and issue directions considered necessary and appropriate in the course of official duties or as a consequence of investigations.

The IGG also stated that public interest requires an officer under investigation to be suspended from exercising the powers and functions of their office to minimise the risk of interference with investigations.