Nakawuka Road: The Shs430bn compensation battle uncovered by Byamukama

Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama has ordered the arrest of ministry officials and land dealers accused of involvement in alleged manipulation of compensation valuations on the stalled Kisubi–Nakawuka–Nateete–Kasanje–Mpigi road project.

Byamukama issued the directives during an inspection of road works in Nakawuka, where he raised concerns over inflated compensation claims and alleged attempts to exploit the government’s land acquisition process.

Two Ministry of Works and Transport officials, including a valuer and a surveyor, have reportedly been arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit following the minister’s concerns that they failed to provide detailed information supporting compensation rates.

Byamukama said inflated valuations were exposing government to potentially huge financial losses.

During the inspection, the minister reportedly identified a multi-storey building in the project area that had been valued at about Shs11 billion for compensation, a figure he said was far above the prevailing market value.

He also raised concern over several new structures constructed in Membe and Lufuka in Mpigi District, areas along the planned road corridor.

The minister questioned why new buildings were appearing along the proposed alignment and warned that government officials and land dealers found colluding to inflate compensation claims would face prosecution.

Residents along the Nateete–Nakawuka–Kasanje road corridor have also accused some individuals of attempting to influence the road alignment towards their properties to trigger higher compensation payouts.

Byamukama ordered security agencies to investigate the allegations and arrest individuals implicated in the alleged scheme.

Three land dealers have reportedly been identified in Mpigi District, while security agencies have been instructed to apprehend them.

The minister further warned that more Ministry of Works and Transport officials could be arrested if investigations establish that they colluded with land dealers to erect or facilitate construction of structures along planned road projects for compensation purposes.

The Kisubi–Nakawuka–Nateete–Kasanje–Mpigi road project has been allocated Shs430 billion for compensation of project-affected persons, exceeding the Shs340.5 billion contract sum for construction.

Byamukama said government was considering changing sections of the road alignment to avoid areas where compensation costs have been excessively inflated.

Residents of Nakawuka also raised concerns over alleged fuel theft affecting the contractor, delays in compensation and excessive dust, which they said was affecting businesses in the area.

The minister pledged to work with local leaders and security agencies to address the reported fuel theft and other challenges affecting the project.

During the inspection, Byamukama also engaged project-affected persons, emphasising the importance of timely compensation and continued consultation with communities affected by the road works.

The inspection covered several road sections under the Design and Build programme, including the 27-kilometre Kisubi–Nakawuka–Nateete section, the 22-kilometre Nakawuka–Kasanje–Mpigi section, the 11-kilometre Nakawuka–Mawagulu–Nanziga–Junea section, the nine-kilometre Kasanje–Buwaya section and the 3.5-kilometre Entebbe–Nakiwogo section.

The inspection assessed the progress and quality of works, identified challenges affecting implementation and reviewed measures needed to improve delivery.

Byamukama also emphasised forward maintenance and road safety, as government seeks to ensure that the road investments provide sustainable benefits to communities.

The allegations remain subject to investigation, with the arrested officials and other suspects expected to be accorded due process as authorities establish whether compensation valuations and road alignment decisions were manipulated.