MPs, works ministry set to meet over Entebbe Expressway toll collections
Toll collection on the expressway commenced in January 2022 following the enactment of the legal framework governing road user charges
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Parliament's Physical Infrastructure Committee is set to meet officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, led by minister Fred Byamukama, today, Thursday.
The meeting will discuss, among other issues, toll collections on the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, which are currently managed by French firm M/S Egis, according to sources on the committee.
Committee meeting flops
The development comes just hours after a planned meeting of a similar nature collapsed after the Minister reportedly denied knowledge of it.
The move left several committee members, including committee chairperson Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama (Mbarara South Division, NRM), questioning the circumstances surrounding the aborted engagement.
“First and foremost, I find it hard to believe that the Minister was not aware. Because they have submitted almost 80 percent of their documentation and we have been in touch with them. They are also aware of our visit to the express toll and the information we picked,” Rwamirama wondered.
“Yesterday, I talked to the minister; this morning I have been talking to the minister,” he said.
Arguing that they were left with no option but to invoke the powers of the committee, Mpaka said: “We are going to issue summons now to the ministry to appear without fail tomorrow morning. This investigation is supposed to be completed by next week, and we must report. Together with URC (Uganda Railway Corporation). These two investigations must be completed this week. If the worst comes to the worst, early next week. But we must report by Thursday (August 13),” Mpaka ruled.
About EGIS
Toll collection on the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway (KEE) commenced on January 8, 2022, following the enactment of the legal framework governing road user charges.
This was after Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) contracted French firm M/S EGIS Road Operation SA on May 24, 2021.
During the first two years, EGIS collected Sh75 billion on behalf of UNRA, which has since been mainstreamed into the Ministry of Works and Transport.