MPs blame NRM party primaries losses on bad roads

_______________

Barely a day after several bigwigs were left licking their wounds in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries, a section of lawmakers has turned their fury on the works ministry (MOWT).

They accuse the ministry of neglecting the country’s crumbling road infrastructure, an issue they say voters used to appraise their colleagues during the ruling party’s elections.

This unfolded on Friday, July 18, 2025, during a meeting between ministry officials, led by permanent secretary Waiswa Bageya and the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), chaired at the time by Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi.

Buhweju MP Francis Mwijukye (Forum for Democratic Change), who also serves as shadow works minister, kicked off the storm by claiming he had earlier warned the Government against dissolving Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). He said the current state of national roads vindicates him.

Citing the appalling state of key routes such as Mbarara-Bushenyi and Mbarara-Ibanda, which he described as death traps, Mwijukye said the Bwizibwera-Kabwohe-Buhweju road in his own constituency is so bad that, to an extent, one might think they’ve crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Most of the Members of Parliament (MPs) have lost elections because of roads. Of course, we told some of them that this was going to be a problem, that it was political suicide. You, Ministry of Works, have politically killed some MPs. Before the remaining are also slaughtered by voters because of the anger, because of the inability to take on these roads and maintain them, what is your plan?” Mwijukye inquired.

Adding that during the ‘good old UNRA days’, infrastructure issues were addressed more swiftly.

Mwijukye decried the bureaucracy, arguing that to get a road issue fixed, one has to chase down a minister, commissioners, senior engineers and undersecretaries.

Feeling stung, Bageya interrupted the submission, saying it would be unfair to blame the loss of votes on the ministry he heads.

“It is not the only. Very unfair, I would not like to accept it,” Bageya said.

However, Mwijukye pushed back, saying it was not his job to sing praises just to please Bageya. He added that Parliament has its own procedures, the permanent secretary is not privy to and reminded him that he can only dictate proceedings when chairing meetings within his own ministry, before proceeding.

“We are worried because I saw on TV voters in Rubanda showing a minister a very bad road, saying, ‘You are a Minister of Finance, look at this road. Why should we vote for you again?’ I saw voters in Eastern Uganda,” Mwijukye said.

“In a minister’s constituency, saying, ‘You are a Minister of Works.’ I have seen my colleagues lose in their constituencies, especially in Sheema. They are saying, ‘You have failed to deliver tarmac.’ People were there sacrificing Honourable Nyakikongoro, Kibaaju,” he said.

While he and many others from Opposition political parties still have a few months left, politically speaking, before they know their fate in the general election, Mwijukye argued that something must be done urgently.

“During the Presidential tour, instead, the President joined the voters to say the People who represent you are not talking… Actually, voters want to beat us up. Throughout, he (Museveni) would say everything is asunder because of your representatives,” Nsibambi supplemented.

Ministry responds

In response, Bageya allayed his fears, citing President Yoweri Museveni’s intervention.

“Recently, my minister wrote a letter to the fountain of honour to project what we expect and the problems coming. He said we needed about shillings 3.1 trillion to reinstate the state of the roads. Of course, Chairman, you know the weather has not been so good with the roads. The excessive rains and so on,” Bageya said.

“As I talk now, the President has answered the Minister’s letter and has proposed a meeting, possibly next week. Where the Vice-President, Prime Minister, Minister of Works, Minister of Finance and other relevant ministers will be called to address this problem,” he disclosed. 

Additionally, Bageya explained that although they initially faced challenges accessing funds, such as merging budget votes, they have since aligned these systems.

“Then we realised that the money was not enough. We went to the Cabinet and got a supplementary of shillings 500 billion, which we have paid out to contractors. A number of contractors have now resumed work. Like Mityana-Mubende has been so bad, the contractor is back. Some of these Kampala city roads, we have paid the contractors and they are back,” he assured.

Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa (Indep) backed Bageya, saying he was carrying a cross that belonged to the finance ministry.

“Because in the communication, this Tuesday by the PSST on the release of this quarter's money, they have said even shillings 1.4 trillion for domestic arrears will come in October. It is not your fault, but Ministry of Finance, which is letting you down. So why would you like to give explanations where it is out of your control,” Okupa stated.

Bigwigs floored

The polls, which were held on Thursday countrywide, saw ministers lose the NRM flag, including works state minister Musa Ecweru, who was vying to become the Amuria County NRM flag-bearer in the forthcoming general election, floored.

Others who kissed the canvas are co-operatives state minister, Fredrick Ngobi Gume (Bulamogi North West), primary education state minister, Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu (Woman MP, Moyo district), local government state minister, Victoria Rusoke Businge (Woman Member of Parliament, Kabarole District), gender minister, Peace Mutuuzo (Woman MP for Bunyangabu District), ethics state minister, Rose Lilly Akello and the industry state minister, David Bahati, who was vying for the NRM flag for Ndorwa West.