Balaam Orders Audit of Shs366m Katete Bridge Works, Seeks Arrest of Former Mbarara Engineer

What the report says

Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara has ordered a forensic audit into the Shs366 million rehabilitation of Katete Bridge in Mbarara City South, citing concerns that the work done does not match the amount spent. According to Nile Post, he raised the issue during an inspection of the bridge on Tuesday and said the project, completed last year by the UPDF Engineering Brigade, needs closer scrutiny to establish whether public funds were used properly.

Barugahara said he plans to involve Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba in setting up a team to investigate the rehabilitation and determine how the money was applied. He also directed Mbarara City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi to pursue the former city engineer, Eng. William Byaruhanga, who supervised the works, and said an arrest should be sought.

The report says the bridge has long drawn concern from residents and local leaders over its durability and the delay in building a permanent replacement. Kakyebezi said the government had earlier discussed a permanent bridge with President Yoweri Museveni, while designs were prepared by the Ministry of Works, but construction has not started. He added that Parliament had allocated Shs5.6 billion for a permanent bridge in the 2024/2025 financial year, though the funds were later withdrawn and redirected. City officials later received Shs500 million for rehabilitation, with part of the money also used for culverts on access roads.

The matter matters because it raises questions about value for money on public infrastructure and the pace of long-promised upgrades in Mbarara City.