The Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) has denied allegations of deliberately delaying the submission of crucial information to investigative authorities concerning the mismanagement of a Shs 29.5 billion contract.
This high-value contract involves a major modernization project covering the archiving of Uganda Driving Permit Project Records Phase II, motor vehicle registration records at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and remodelling of the Uganda Railway main station and URA warehouse in Kampala.
In an official statement released on September 24, 2025, the Ministry clarified that any delays were due to necessary procedural steps.
“The process required obtaining adequate records/information from 3rd party institutions like URA, which was necessary before formally responding,” the statement read in part.
The Ministry assured that all certified documents related to the investigation have now been submitted to the relevant investigative bodies.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Bageya Waiswa, formally handed over certified documents to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in the ongoing investigation against Winstone Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety.
The documents included bid advertisements, evaluation reports, signed contracts, payment records, and employment histories of two ICT officers named in a whistle-blower complaint.
In Waiswa’s accompanying letter, dated August 7, 2025, he confirmed full compliance with police requests.
“All the documents are verified with my name and stamp of certification,” Waiswa said.
A whistleblower petition dated May 12, 2023, alleges a significant discrepancy in the contract signed with Face Technologies, the contractor for the driving permit project. While the contract was valued at Shs 29.4 billion, bid opening records show Face Technologies submitted a bid of Shs 24.9 billion, leaving an unexplained gap of nearly Shs 5 billion. This discrepancy has raised concerns over procurement irregularities and potential mismanagement.
The Ministry urged all stakeholders to allow the investigation to proceed without bias or diversion and reassured the public that the findings will be transparently communicated once the process is concluded.
