The Minister of Works and Transport, General Katumba Wamala (pictured) has lashed out at Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) officials for refusing to disclose the cost of the infrastructure projects to public for transparency and accountability.
He made the remarks while officiating at the launch of the 3rd report published by Cost Uganda Chapter held at Golf course hotel in Kampala on the 13 infrastructure projects being implemented in Uganda in key sectors which include; health, education, water and environment, roads and bridges and energy.
Katumba said that he is embarrassed when he noted in the launched report that UNRA is one of the agencies that have failed to comply with the requirement of disclosing the costs to the public.
While addressing guests, Katumba said that infrastructure projects are critical to national development and much expenditure is extended to key projects yet design and execution of these projects has faced a number of challenges among which include; corruption, inefficiency and secrecy which undermines performance and value for money.
The General added that lack of project cost disclosure creates suspicion among the public.
He gave the example of Shs24bn project meant for a bridge in Jinja.
The General revealed that the Ministry would spear head a campaign together with Cost Uganda to ask the Prime Minister to prevail over the government entities including ministries to a appreciate the need for disclosure project cost to public.
