By Frank Kamuntu
A meeting organized by the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, to demand accountability for the UGX 263 billion bailout granted to Roko Construction Company was obstructed by top officials of the company, who denied entry to the Shadow Cabinet delegation from Parliament.
Speaking to journalists outside Roko Construction’s offices in Kawempe, Kampala, Ssenyonyi explained that the impromptu visit was prompted by complaints from Roko staff, who reported not receiving wages for four months. This raised questions about how the UGX 263 billion bailout, approved by Parliament in July 2022, had been utilized.
“This company has received over UGX 263.3 billion, and we’ve heard that the government plans to request more funds on their behalf. We came here to understand how this money is being used. Employees have told us they haven’t been paid for three to four months, yet they’re still required to work,” Ssenyonyi stated.
He revealed that he had sent a letter on October 8, 2024, informing Roko Construction’s management of his intended visit. However, upon arrival, his team was denied access and handed a letter from Mark Koehler, the Managing Director of Roko Construction, notifying them that the Board of Directors had decided to block the visit.
Ssenyonyi remarked, “The Managing Director informed us that the Board decided not to admit me and the Shadow Cabinet. This highlights our concerns about the government’s practice of allocating funds to private companies without proper oversight.”
Ssenyonyi noted that suspicions about Roko’s financial status first surfaced when the government proposed a UGX 207 billion capitalization request. Both the Minority and Majority reports from the Finance Committee had called for due diligence to assess Roko’s financial standing. However, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa dismissed these recommendations, dramatically announcing the approval of the funds and warning that failure to approve would result in the company’s closure due to debts.
“We want to engage with the management, as we have done elsewhere. I am perplexed. I intend to put the government on notice that they may return asking for more money, but they must account for what has already been given. If the company refuses to account for taxpayer money, it should return the funds. We won’t interfere if they’re using private resources, but when taxpayer money is involved, accountability is critical,” Ssenyonyi emphasized.
The Leader of the Opposition also raised concerns about the future of key projects awarded to Roko Construction, including Lubowa Hospital and the new parliamentary chambers, especially in light of the company’s apparent financial difficulties.
“The parliamentary chambers were supposed to be completed during the 10th Parliament, but now we’re in the 11th Parliament with minimal progress. Every two years, the deadline is extended. Meanwhile, Parliament is spending billions renting offices for MPs and staff at Kingdom Kampala and Queen’s Chambers while funding the construction of its own premises. This is a clear example of nugatory expenditure—a financial loss to the taxpayer,” Ssenyonyi explained.
He also disclosed that the government plans to table another supplementary budget, with a proposal to allocate more funds to Roko Construction.
“We hear they plan to return to Parliament for supplementary funding. But what is the money being used for if staff aren’t being paid and projects are stalled? We expect the Minister of Finance to account for the UGX 263 billion already given to this company. We hope there won’t be another request until transparency is ensured,” Ssenyonyi added.
The mandate of the Leader of the Opposition is derived from Article 82A of the Constitution of Uganda (1995, as amended) and the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Act (2006). The Shadow Cabinet is responsible for providing alternative policy recommendations to the government in Parliament.
Peace Mutuuzo, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture, who represented the government during Monday’s plenary session, committed to ensuring that the government provides an explanation as to why the Leader of the Opposition was denied access to Roko Construction’s premises.
Established in 1969, Roko is one of Uganda’s top five construction companies, according to Construction Review Online as of April 2021. Headquartered in Kampala, the company operates in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, DR Congo, and South Sudan. By April 2021, it employed over 850 full-time staff and 1,180 temporary workers from diverse nationalities, including more than 100 key staff members, about half of whom are engineers.
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