The cost of the Busega–Mpigi Expressway project is setto rise to about Shs 2 trillion by the time it is completed, up from the initial estimate of about Shs 600 billion, according to Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama.Byamukama attributed the escalating cost to project delays, design revisions, funding interruptions and alleged corruption within the ministry of Works and Transport. He said the project’s cost has already increased to about Shs 1.3 trillion, with a further Shs 700 billion required to complete the works.The project was initially rerouted away from densely populated areas to pass through largely swampy terrain in Wakiso and Mpigi districts, a move intended to reduce the cost of compensating and relocating affected property owners.However, Byamukama alleged that the rerouting was instead used by some ministry officials and private individuals who had acquired land in the swampy areas to benefit from compensation and other project-related gains.The allegations have already led to disciplinary action against senior officials. Engineers Dickens Ahimbisibwe and Edwin Raymond Kiyaga have been suspended, while ministry of Works permanent secretary Bageya Waiswa was sent on forced leave over alleged corruption-related activities connected to the project.The minister said the contractor has since resumed work under revised contractual terms, with the project now expected to be completed by the end of 2028.Minister Fred Byamukama (L) engaging contractors Construction began in 2020 and was initially scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. However, progress has been affected by land acquisition challenges, design revisions, funding constraints and procurement-related issues.“Government has since secured additional funding and works have resumed,” Byamukama said. “While we work towards resolving the project’s bottlenecks, we want to ensure that the contractor maintains steady progress towards the project delivery.”Allan Ssempebwa, communications officer at the ministry of Works and Transport, said the project is currently 47 per cent complete, with the contractor expected to accelerate construction.“The contractor is expected to scale up efforts and have the game changer project ready” by the end of 2028, Ssempebwa said.He clarified that the current Shs 1.3 trillion budget relates to the Busega–Mpigi Expressway itself, while the additional Shs 700 billion is earmarked for the proposed Busega Systems Interchange, which was originally planned under the separate Kibuye–Busega Expressway project.“The proposed interchange is intended to connect the Busega–Mpigi Expressway to the Kampala Northern Bypass, Kampala–Entebbe Expressway, Kampala–Masaka Highway, the existing Kibuye–Natete–Busega corridor and in future, Kibuye–Busega Expressway,” Ssempebwa said.The Kibuye–Busega Expressway was initially planned as a separate project with independent financing. However, the ministry is considering integrating it into the ongoing Busega–Mpigi Expressway to provide a comprehensive solution to traffic congestion in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.Other design changes include additional interchanges at Busega, Nabbingo, Maya, Lungala and Mpigi.The revised design will also include four toll plazas, service lanes and seven additional bridges to support toll-road operations. It will increase the expressway’s total length to 27.3 kilometres and provide more than 50 kilometres of enhanced drainage channels.Byamukama said the African Development Bank (AfDB) remains committed to financing the project, which is expected to recover part of its costs through toll collections.In November last year, the AfDB Board approved financing of €217.37 million and a NEPAD grant of $1 million, while the Government of Uganda committed €30.98 million. The combined financing brings the project cost to €424.61 million (about Shs 1.795 trillion), compared to the original estimate of €176.26 million (about Shs 745 billion).Planning for the expressway began in 2015 with detailed engineering designs and environmental and social impact assessments following preliminary environmental and socio-economic studies completed in 2014.In 2016, the government signed a financing agreement with the African Development Bank worth $151 million, while Uganda committed $41 million in counterpart funding.Civil works were expected to commence in November 2019 but were delayed after environmental and social impact assessment approvals expired and required renewal. Construction eventually began in May 2020 after contractors established site facilities.According to the ministry, other factors that contributed to project delays include funding gaps, delayed compensation and land acquisition, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on construction and global supply chains, contractor claims arising from idle equipment, and weaknesses in procurement processes.The post How ministry corruption bloated Mpigi Expressway cost to Shs 2 trillion appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.