The bill for road works done under the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (Chogm) 2007 in Kampala is expected to rise above the Shs.96 billion figure previously quoted, the lead counsel of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament, Tom Kazibwe, has said.

The legislator revealed that while Shs 21.7 billion is what was initially budgeted for Chogm roads, the committee has since discovered that government spent more than Shs.96.4 billion and more debts are being unearthed.

Kazibwe’s comments followed the appearance on Thursday morning of senior officials of the Ministry of Works before the Public Accounts Committee.

The officials who were led by the Permanent Secretary, Charles Muganzi and Acting Chief Engineer, Mugisa Obyero, revealed that ministers used their positions to divert money meant for public roads under Chogm. Some of it was used to pay for private access roads leading up to properties in which the ministers have interests.

The officials claimed that the diversions were effected without the knowledge of the Ministry’s accounting officers.

The committee heard that State Minister for Regional Cooperation, Isaac Musumba, had Works Minister John Nasasira work on Sserunkuma Road, a private lane leading to his Enkombe Apartments in Mbuya, a Kampala suburb, while Works State Minister John Byabagambi allegedly connived with the Chief Engineer Sam Bagonza to spend Shs.12.6 million on a lane on Kitante Road leading to Ibamba Restaurant owned by former agriculture minister and Nyabushozi MP Mary Mugyenyi.

Minister Byabagambi has since denied any wrong doing, but his Regional Cooperation colleague, Isaac Musumba was not available for comment.