Uganda’s Stolen Billions: The Shocking List of Government Projects That Became Cash Cows for the Corrupt

By Alexander Luyima
April 14, 2025

For over three decades, Uganda has hemorrhaged billions through grand infrastructure promises that became nothing more than elaborate cash siphons for the politically connected. What started as hope for development has decayed into national shame. Roads to nowhere. Hospitals built in thin air. Tractors that never tilled a single acre. And as always, no one goes to jail.

It’s time to name names, trace the money, and hold the untouchables accountable.

1. Lubowa Hospital: Shs 1.4 Trillion for Weeds

PROMISE: World-class medical tourism destination.
REALITY: A ghost site overgrown with bush.

Amount Lost: Shs 1.4 trillion

Company Awarded: Finasi/Roko Construction

Implicated:

Amelia Kyambadde (Former Trade Minister)

Evelyn Anite (Former State Minister for Investment)

PSST Keith Muhakanizi (deceased) (Approved funding despite public concern)

Quote:

> “This was never about medicine. It was engineered theft disguised as national development.” — MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda

2. Dr. Musenero’s Shs 31B COVID-19 Vaccine Scam

PROMISE: Uganda-made COVID-19 vaccine by 2022.
REALITY: Fancy PowerPoints, no jab.

Amount Lost: Shs 31 billion

Lead Figure: Dr. Monica Musenero (Presidential Advisor on Epidemics)

Status: Cleared by Parliament despite strong evidence of misuse

Quote:

> “She turned a pandemic into a pay day. We saw zero results, yet billions vanished into luxury trips and allowances.”— Parliament Probe Committee (2022)

3. Basajja Balaba’s Leather Factory Fraud

PROMISE: Export-ready leather processing hub.
REALITY: Money used to buy personal real estate.

Amount Lost: Shs 24 billion

Implicated: Businessman Basajja Balaba (Close to State House)

Quote:

> “No factory, no output—just mansions. This is economic sabotage.” — Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda

4. The Shs 4 Trillion Oil Refinery Mirage

PROMISE: Uganda to refine its own oil by 2020.
REALITY: Studies, workshops, and ghost investors.

Amount Lost: Over Shs 4 trillion

Implicated:

Irene Muloni (Former Energy Minister)

Ernest Rubondo (Petroleum Authority of Uganda)

Quote:

> “They’re stalling until the oil runs dry. Then they’ll say ‘Oops’ and retire rich.” — Ronald Kasirye, investigative journalist

5. The Umeme Privatization Scam

PROMISE: Efficient electricity.
REALITY: Highest tariffs, endless blackouts.

Implicated:

Ezra Suruma (Former Minister of Finance)

UMEME Ltd (Foreign investors, protected by government)

Quote:

> “This wasn’t privatization. It was a national sell-out for kickbacks.”

6. Katosi Road Project

PROMISE: Key highway in central Uganda.
REALITY: Fake contractors, fake companies.

Amount Lost: Over Shs 24 billion

Implicated:

Abubaker Technical Services (Nonexistent at time of contract)

Dan Alinange (UNRA Spokesperson at the time)

7. Northern Bypass Scandal

PROMISE: Dual-carriage to reduce congestion.
REALITY: A single lane and flooded potholes.

Amount Lost: Billions in inflated contracts

Implicated:

China Civil Engineering Construction Corp (CCECC)

Allen Kagina (UNRA Executive Director)

8. Coffee Deal Scandal

PROMISE: Boost coffee exports through value-addition. REALITY: Giveaway to Vinci Coffee Company, bypassing farmers.

Implicated:

Enrica Pinetti (Finasi)

Matia Kasaija (Finance Minister)

State House influence suspected

9. Luzira-Port Bell Project

PROMISE: Revive water transport.
REALITY: Dodgy contractors, no infrastructure.

Implicated: Uganda Railways Corporation, Ministry of Works

10. Kampala Drainage Projects (Bwaise/Lubiji)

PROMISE: End Kampala flooding. REALITY: Every rain turns roads into rivers.

Amount Lost: Shs 50 billion

Implicated: KCCA Engineering Department, Chinese contractors

11. Entebbe Road Project

PROMISE: World-class expressway. REALITY: Among the most expensive roads globally per kilometer.

Amount Lost: USD 476 million

Implicated: China Communications Construction Company, UNRA

12. Busega Market & Kampala Market Projects

PROMISE: Modern working spaces for vendors. REALITY: Vendors kicked out, politicians in.

Implicated: KCCA, Local government authorities

13. Bonna Baggagawale (Prosperity for All)

PROMISE: Household wealth creation. REALITY: Political mobilization fund.

Amount Lost: Hundreds of billions

Implicated: NRM mobilizers, microfinance agencies

14. NAADS & OWC Projects

PROMISE: Agricultural transformation. REALITY: Ghost farmers, fake seeds.

Implicated:

Gen. Salim Saleh (Coordinator, OWC)

NAADS Secretariat

15. District Tractors & Excavators Scheme

PROMISE: Mechanize farming across districts. REALITY: Tractors used for weddings, private farms.

Amount Lost: Shs 90 billion

Implicated:

Ministry of Agriculture

District officials

Why No One Is Ever Arrested

Because the biggest thieves are protected by the ruling NRM regime. The IGG, DPP, CID – all compromised. Even Parliament investigations vanish into silence. Many suspects are:

Relatives of top regime figures

Major NRM financiers

Close allies of President Yoweri Museveni

Call to Action

Ugandans deserve better. We must:

DEMAND accountability @GovUganda @Parliament_UG @IGGUganda

SUE for recovery of funds: @AntiGraftUG @UgandaLawSociety

CALL OUT international funders @WorldBank @IMFNews for aiding theft via soft loans