Parliament Orders URC Boss to Face CID

In a significant escalation of oversight, Parliament has mandated the Managing Director of the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) to provide a statement to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) regarding the mysterious disappearance of 394 railway wagons, collectively valued at approximately UGX 220.8 billion.

 

This directive, issued on July 23, 2026, comes in response to growing frustrations over accountability within a key state corporation that is vital to regional trade and the efficiency of the Northern Corridor.

 

The Physical Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Mwine Mpaka, issued the order after URC officials failed to give a satisfactory explanation during a tense meeting. Mpaka granted a one-hour ultimatum for documentation on joint tracing efforts with Kenya; however, a quick review revealed no resolution or acknowledgment from the Kenyan authorities regarding the Ugandan wagons.

 

“The assumption is that they are in Kenya, but there is also a possibility that some have been sold in Uganda,” Mpaka stated. “The Managing Director is required to record a statement at the police, and if he fails to provide evidence within a week, then during his next report, we will officially escalate the issue concerning the disappearance of the wagons.”

 

The controversy stems from findings in the Auditor General’s report from December 2025, which highlighted serious shortcomings in asset control and verification at URC. As of November 2024, 131 URC wagons were untraceable, with only 18 eventually located, leaving 113 missing.

 

For the Kenya Railways Corporation, all 281 wagons under URC custody remain unaccounted for, bringing the total number of missing wagons to 394 following recoveries. Eng. Ssebbugga Kimeze, the MP for Budyebo County, warned of potential diplomatic and reputational repercussions: “As if that is not enough, we have actually lost 281 wagons belonging to the Kenyan railways. Property belonging to a neighboring country goes missing here, and in fact, it is stolen by our own thieves. This situation could lead to diplomatic problems down the line.”

 

Batooro County MP Emmanuel Ilukol expressed concern over the financial implications, noting that each wagon costs around US$150,000. Even a fraction of the losses adds up to tens of billions of shillings, ultimately burdening taxpayers. He called for the involvement of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit: “It seems we are taking this lightly. How long must taxpayers bear the costs for the actions of individuals who refuse to be accountable for their jobs?”

 

Benon Kajuna, who became the URC Managing Director in early 2025, told the committee that verifying the wagons is complex and ongoing. He mentioned ongoing joint committees with Kenya and regular meetings, asserting that they possess documentary evidence of bilateral efforts aimed at finding an “amicable solution.”

 

However, the MPs remained unconvinced. Samuel Opio (Kole North) pressed, “We don’t know whether they were stolen, whether they have been sold, or whether they are in Kenya. Wagons cannot simply be stated to have disappeared. They should have specific wagon numbers, identification numbers, and traceability of their locations.”

 

Railway wagons are crucial for Uganda’s import-export chain, transporting goods along the meter-gauge line shared with Kenya. The URC has faced chronic underinvestment, aging infrastructure, and competition from road transport, making effective asset management essential.

 

The disappearances underscore potential weaknesses in inventory controls and security at railway sidings and yards, as well as in cross-border asset protocols under the East African Community framework.

 

As Uganda pursues its ambitions for a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and aims for greater regional integration, the integrity of its existing assets will serve as a key indicator of investor confidence and public trust.ocols under the East African Community framework.