“Corrupt People Move with Bags of Money to pay us off" - Minister Byamukama

[Da Dona]

Works and Transport State Minister Fred Byamukama says officials implicated in an alleged land compensation racket have tried to bribe him with “bags of money” to frustrate investigations.
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“Now they are moving around with bags of money trying to pay us off. They have even tried to compromise me. But I want to let them know that I am a very rich farmer,” Byamukama told journalists."​

He said some officials later resorted to intimidation after their alleged bribery attempts failed.
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“Others have now resorted to intimidation. But you cannot intimidate me. The more you threaten me, the harder I will work,” he said.​

Byamukama said investigations into the Nateete-Nakawuka road uncovered properties allegedly owned by ministry officials along nearly 10 kilometres of the road corridor.

He accused some officials of using privileged information about the planned road alignment to acquire properties that would later qualify for government compensation.
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"They are the ones who determine how much money these properties will be paid for; they know everything about these properties because they own them all and they set an exorbitant compensation amount,” he said.»​

According to the minister, the alleged manipulation has pushed the compensation bill to about three times the cost of constructing the road. Government had earlier estimated that more than Shs400 billion would be required for land acquisition and compensation on the Kisubi-Nakawuka-Nateete section.

Byamukama said the ministry has compiled a report on the alleged scheme and that arrests will follow.
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“Knowing where a new road is going to be built and you rush and buy property along that area; when you work in the government and have access to information on the valuation, that is high-level corruption.”​

He also alleged that similar practices occurred on the Kyaliwajjala-Kira-Matugga road, where expensive buildings and fuel stations allegedly compensated by government belonged to ministry officials.
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“We are going to arrest all these people,” he said.​

The wider Mpigi-Kasanje-Buwaya, Nateete-Nakawuka-Kisubi and connecting roads project covers about 71.15 kilometres and was launched by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja in March 2024.
The project has faced repeated delays, largely due to land acquisition and compensation challenges. Works resumed more visibly around Nakawuka in February 2026, with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) returning to site.

The ministry has also undertaken drainage works along the corridor, while construction continues on earthworks, swamp treatment, box culverts and U-drains. Piecemeal land acquisition has, however, prevented continuous work on some sections.

The project was initially scheduled for completion by December 2026, but compensation disputes and delayed access to parts of the road reserve have affected implementation.

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