The mystery surrounding hundreds of missing railway wagons has taken a dramatic turn after Parliament directed Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) Managing Director Benon Kajuna to record a statement with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID).
The move follows mounting concern over the disappearance of 394 railway wagons, valued at an estimated UGX220.8 billion, which lawmakers say cannot simply be explained away without accountability.
The directive was issued during a tense parliamentary session in which MPs questioned URC officials over the fate of the government-owned wagons. Legislators appeared unconvinced by the explanations presented, insisting that the matter had gone beyond administrative accountability and now required criminal investigations.
Members of Parliament described the loss as alarming, arguing that the missing wagons represent a massive investment funded by taxpayers. They maintained that the disappearance of such valuable public assets raises serious concerns about asset management within the corporation and whether there was negligence, abuse of office, or outright fraud.
As a result, Parliament instructed Kajuna to formally record a statement with CID to assist detectives in piecing together how nearly 400 railway wagons vanished and who should be held responsible.
The case comes at a time when the government is investing heavily in reviving Uganda’s railway transport system as a cheaper and more efficient alternative for moving cargo. The disappearance of assets worth more than UGX220 billion is therefore seen as a major setback to those efforts.
Lawmakers also called for a thorough audit of all Uganda Railways Corporation assets, warning that the investigation should not stop with the missing wagons. They urged law enforcement agencies to pursue everyone implicated, regardless of rank or position, if evidence points to wrongdoing.
With CID now expected to take over the criminal investigation, attention will be on whether the probe uncovers those behind one of the biggest reported losses of public railway assets in recent years.
The outcome of the investigations could not only determine the fate of the missing wagons but also shape future accountability measures in the management of Uganda’s public assets.
