The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi Ariganyira, has given the Rubanda District Engineer, John Habimana, a one-month ultimatum to complete the long-delayed Shs85 million Bugiri Crossing Bridge in Kakore Parish, Hamurwa Sub-county, warning that failure to meet the deadline will result in criminal action.
The bridge, which connects Bugiri Primary School, Kakore Rugambwa Catholic Parish, Karukara Market and surrounding communities, is expected to boost both social and economic activities in the area.
During an oversight visit accompanied by Rubanda District Woman MP Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda and Rubanda West MP Bruce Balaba Kabaasa on Saturday, Minister Musasizi expressed concern over the slow progress of the project, noting that construction has stalled for three years despite government releasing Shs85 million under the Force Account system, where local governments directly procure construction materials and supervise works without hiring external contractors.
Musasizi said government had noted a worrying trend of projects remaining incomplete long after funds had been released.
“We have noticed that some projects are left uncompleted. For example, there is a bridge that started three years ago. Government released Shs85 million for its construction, but up to now it is not complete,” Musasizi said.
The minister directed district officials to complete the bridge within one month and review its design to ensure it adequately serves the community.
He warned that failure to comply would attract criminal sanctions against those responsible for the delayed project.
“Within one month, the bridge should be complete and its size reviewed. If not, we shall return with CID to arrest the accounting officer, the engineer and all those responsible,” he warned.
CUE IN MINISTER MUSASIZI..ON THE BRIDGE…RR/ENG//
Musasizi also criticized weak supervision of government projects, saying many developments are implemented without the knowledge of local leaders or the communities they are intended to benefit.
He observed that Local Council leaders, councillors, Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Internal Security Organisation (ISO) officials and residents are often unaware of projects being implemented in their respective areas.
To strengthen accountability, the minister announced a new directive requiring all government-funded projects to be officially launched before construction begins.
He said the launches would inform communities about project scope, timelines and budgets, enabling residents to monitor implementation, hold responsible officers accountable and ensure public funds are properly utilised.
Musasizi further commended the growing collaboration between Members of Parliament, district leaders and local government officials in monitoring public projects, describing it as a fulfilment of commitments made during the election campaigns.
He also announced that regular oversight visits would be institutionalised to closely monitor the implementation of government programmes and improve accountability.
“We shall continue these oversight visits every month because we want to ensure that every shilling allocated to this district is put to proper use,” he said.
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MinisterMusasizi reaffirmed government’s commitment to fighting corruption, stressing that there would be no room for misuse of public resources.
He added that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had directed leaders at all levels, from LC1 chairpersons upwards, to join the fight against corruption by exposing and ensuring the arrest of individuals involved in the theft of public funds.
CUE IN MINISTER MUSASIZI…ON CORRUPTION… ENG//
