Members of Uganda's Parliament have raised concerns over the expenditure and implementation of the sh20 billion Kyambogo Training Facility project, citing missing works and discrepancies in quantities. The facility, under the National Council of Sports (NCS), was inspected by Parliament's Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), chaired by Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi. The committee's inspection followed queries raised by the Auditor General in the 2024/2025 financial year audit.
The committee questioned the absence of several items provided for in the Bills of Quantities (BoQs), including a gatehouse budgeted at 15 million shillings. Discrepancies were also found in the number of windows and doors installed compared to the BoQs. The Auditor General had established that 28 windows were budgeted for, but only 17 were counted during the audit. The committee also counted 17 windows during its inspection, although the project architect disputed the figure, saying there were 19.
Further discrepancies were found in the number of doors, with the BoQs providing for 22 doors, but MPs counting 11 wooden doors and one metallic door. The architect, however, said there were 12 timber doors and one metallic door. Nkunyingi demanded an explanation for the variations and accountability for the money allocated to items that were not found at the facility. The committee also questioned the cost of 25 seats in the changing-room facilities, which the Auditor General had queried at 390 million shillings.
The inspection exposed disagreements between the implementing agencies and the Auditor General's representatives over how the project was structured and executed. The UPDF Engineering Brigade project engineer, Lt. Col. Eng. Peter Seku Kidemuka, told the committee that the project was implemented through administrative arrangements dictated by the availability of funds. Kidemuka explained that the original Memorandum of Understanding provided for one project, but government released funds in instalments.
The committee also questioned the cost of several items, including a perimeter fence reportedly costing 278 million shillings, a transformer valued at 135 million shillings, a 30 million shillings borehole, and maintenance equipment worth 1.2 billion shillings. MPs demanded supporting documents to establish when the facilities were installed and whether they met the required specifications. The inspection also raised concerns over the project's readiness for inspection by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
CAF officials are expected to visit in December to assess Uganda's preparedness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Elgon North MP Gerald Nangoli questioned whether the facility would be ready, citing outstanding works and accountability questions raised during the inspection. In response, Kidemuka maintained that there were no contractual phases and that implementation had been guided by the availability of funds and instructions from the client and supervising engineers.
The committee directed the implementing agencies to submit several documents, including the Memorandum of Understanding, Bills of Quantities, cost appraisals, and records showing how funds initially allocated to incomplete works were subsequently utilised. Key issues raised by the committee include the need for accountability for the sh20 billion expenditure, explanations for discrepancies in the project's implementation, and confirmation of the facility's readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Key points
- MPs demand explanations for discrepancies in the Kyambogo Training Facility project
- Committee questions expenditure on several items, including a perimeter fence and maintenance equipment
- Facility's readiness for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations inspection uncertain due to outstanding works
