MPIGI DISTRICT ENGINEER REMANDED OVER THEFT OF FUEL WORTH UGX 242M UNDER SHS 1BN ROAD MAINTENANCE GRANT
Mpigi, Uganda — Authorities have remanded Kyambadde Sam, the Acting District Engineer for Works in Mpigi District, over allegations of stealing thousands of litres of fuel meant for critical road maintenance projects.
Kyambadde was arraigned before the Mpigi Chief Magistrate’s Court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (@AntiGraft_SH), in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (@CID1_UG) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (@ODPPUGANDA). He has been charged with theft of fuel and remanded until August 5, 2025.
The charges stem from investigations into the misappropriation of 21,739 litres of fuel valued at UGX 242,022,500, meant for road works in the Financial Year 2023/2024 under the UGX 1 Billion Road Maintenance Grant.
Kyambadde joins his co-accused, Sitakange Charles, as the two allegedly inflated fuel needs for various road projects. They are accused of conspiring with fuel station managers to bypass established controls and illegally draw excess fuel. The stolen fuel was reportedly accounted for using registration numbers of grounded vehicles — such as tipper truck Reg No. LG 0002-082, which has been out of service since 2022 but was used to justify fuel withdrawals amounting to UGX 18.5 million.
Further, the duo is alleged to have used registration numbers of vehicles from unrelated departments and even non-district vehicles to cover up the theft. Investigators estimate that at least UGX 90 million was fraudulently claimed through this scheme.
One of the planned projects — the Kyansoozi–Kampiringisa–Muyiira Road — with a budget of UGX 97 million, was never implemented despite official reports claiming the works had been completed.
This case mirrors a similar incident in Busia District just a month ago, where municipal officials were charged over comparable fuel-related fraud involving the same UGX 1 Billion grant.
The arrests come amid a broader crackdown by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit on the misuse of the 1Bn Road Maintenance Grant, following a surge in complaints from local governments alleging widespread abuse.
Investigations into other local governments are currently underway as part of a renewed effort to enhance accountability and safeguard public resources.
