COSASE MPs, led by Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi, pose with NCS Project Engineer Lt. Col. Peter Kidemuka Seku and other officials.

By: Sarah Achen

The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has intensified scrutiny of infrastructure projects being undertaken ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), amid concerns over accountability, procurement procedures and the management of public funds.

The committee’s intervention follows disagreements over findings in the Auditor General’s report on projects implemented by the UPDF Engineers Brigade, prompting legislators to conduct an urgent physical assessment of facilities under the National Council of Sports (NCS).

On Monday, November 2, 2026, the committee, led by its Chairperson, Muwada Nkunyingi, inspected the Kyambogo University training ground to assess construction progress, establish the facility’s readiness for AFCON 2027 and examine accountability for government funds allocated through NCS.

Nkunyingi, who is also the Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, said the inspection was necessary to establish the actual state of project implementation following conflicting explanations surrounding the Auditor General’s findings and responses from the UPDF Engineers Brigade.

He said the committee would compare the work completed against financial records, contractual obligations and concerns raised in the audit report. He added that the inspections form part of Parliament’s routine oversight to prevent procurement irregularities, project delays and misuse of public resources.

During the inspection, the UPDF Engineers Brigade Project Engineer, Lt. Col. Peter Kidemuka Seku, assured the legislators that the Kyambogo training facility would be completed in time for AFCON 2027.

However, legislators questioned why some project components remained incomplete despite the reported expenditure of 20 billion shillings. In response, Kidemuka maintained that the 20-billion-shilling project was awarded as a single contract and was not implemented in phases.

The MPs also questioned the National Council of Sports’ decision to release the full contract payment to the UPDF Engineers Brigade before completion of the works.

Buzaya County MP Martin Muzaale questioned why the contractor had received the entire project funding before fulfilling all contractual obligations, demanding an explanation from the responsible authorities.

Lugazi Municipality MP Richard Salongo Senteza also raised concerns over financial management irregularities highlighted in the Auditor General’s report, questioning the basis on which NCS officials authorised full payment before completion of the project.

The legislators said the payment arrangements required further scrutiny to establish whether they complied with public procurement and financial management regulations.

Budadiri East MP Julius Nakiyi separately questioned the contractor’s decision to redesign the project, seeking clarification on what informed the changes and whether the necessary approval procedures had been followed.

The Kyambogo inspection is part of COSASE’s wider investigation into public expenditure in the sports sector, including the utilisation of government funds allocated to sports federations.

Last week, the committee intensified its scrutiny of financial accountability among sports bodies, seeking to establish whether public funds had been utilised for their intended purposes.

COSASE also summoned officials from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and other sports bodies to appear before the committee and respond to concerns over reported discrepancies in the management of government funding for sports development and infrastructure.

The investigations come as Uganda, alongside its co-hosts, prepares to stage AFCON 2027, a tournament expected to require substantial investment in sports infrastructure, training facilities and organizational capacity.

With significant public resources committed to the preparations, Parliament is seeking to ensure that the projects are completed within the approved budgets and timelines and meet the required standards.

The committee is expected to continue engaging government agencies, contractors and sports federations to obtain explanations on outstanding concerns and strengthen accountability in the management of taxpayers’ money.