MPs Demand Answers Over Shs1bn Suspected Toll Revenue Losses on Kampala-Entebbe Expressway

Members of Parliament have tasked the Ministry of Works and Transport to explain discrepancies in toll revenue records for the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway after an internal audit revealed that 10,446 vehicles could not be reconciled in the toll collection system.

The revelations emerged on Thursday, August 6, 2026, when officials from the ministry, led by Works Minister Fred Byamukama, appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka to respond to concerns raised in the Auditor General’s Report for the Financial Year 2024/25.

The audit findings showed that 586 vehicles could not be accounted for in November 2024, resulting in an estimated revenue shortfall of about Shs407 million.

The report further indicated that 2,860 vehicles were missing from toll records in December 2025, while more than 7,000 vehicles were unaccounted for in May 2026, translating into suspected revenue losses exceeding Shs1 billion.

MPs said the discrepancies raised concerns about the reliability, security and effectiveness of the electronic toll collection system used on Uganda’s first toll road.

The committee questioned officials from the ministry, expressway operator EGIS, and contractor Pinnacle, demanding explanations on toll management, revenue accountability and infrastructure maintenance.

Minister Byamukama told the committee that government secured a US$350 million (about Shs1.2 trillion) loan in 2021 to finance construction of the expressway.

He said since tolling began, approximately Shs129 billion has been collected in toll revenue, while about Shs122 billion has already been paid to the contractor responsible for operating the tolling system.

Bunyole West County MP Hon. James Waluswaka questioned whether taxpayers were receiving value for money, given that almost the same amount collected from motorists had been paid to the contractor.

“When almost as much money goes to the contractor as what Government collects from motorists, Parliament must ask whether Ugandans are obtaining value for money from this investment,” Waluswaka said.

The ministry explained that payments under the performance-based maintenance contract depend on whether contractors meet agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Officials said deductions have been made for failures including non-functional street lighting, damaged guardrails, defective road signs, poor road cleanliness and delays in implementing the overload control system.

Shs1.6bn weigh bridge funds questioned

The committee also questioned why Shs1.6 billion allocated for installation of weigh-in-motion bridges had not been utilised.

An engineer from the ministry, Isaac Wani, explained that the delay was caused by unsuitable terrain around existing toll plazas.

He said the funds were instead incorporated into a subsequent contract to facilitate installation of fixed weighbridges at toll plazas and weigh-in-motion equipment along the Northern Bypass.

MPs argued that axle-load enforcement was critical in protecting the structural integrity and lifespan of the expressway and questioned why the system had been delayed despite other infrastructure being completed.

MPs question toll exemptions

The committee also demanded accountability over vehicles exempted from paying toll charges, questioning whether the exemptions were backed by proper legal instruments.

Lawmakers warned that discretionary exemptions without statutory support could undermine transparency and accountability in toll collection.

The committee further raised concerns over transactions through the Automated Payment Collection Unit account, which was established to temporarily receive electronic toll payments before remittance to the Consolidated Fund.

Works Ministry Undersecretary Barbara Namugambe requested more time to reconcile records and provide accurate information to the committee.

“I need more time to compile and submit all the factual reports required by this committee,” Namugambe told MPs.

MPs demand accountability over Shs200m India training

Deputy Chairperson of the committee and Ayivu Division East MP Hon. William Tiyo questioned why the ministry spent more than Shs200 million on training in India when the supervising contractor was a French company.

He demanded evidence showing the beneficiaries, training modules, expenditure details and how the training improved management of the toll road.

The committee directed the ministry to submit a comprehensive report on the training before Wednesday, August 12, 2026.