The dismissal of Engineer Ronald Olaki, a senior engineer who played a key role in the construction of major roads in Karamoja and other parts of Uganda, has raised questions among some observers who remember his contribution to the country’s infrastructure development.
Olaki, who supervised the construction of the first-ever tarmac road connecting Moroto to Nakapiripirit in 2013, was among officials recently dismissed from the Ministry of Works and Transport over allegations related to the management of road projects.
The Moroto–Nakapiripirit road, which was constructed at a cost of Shs 184 billion, was one of the landmark infrastructure projects in the Karamoja sub-region. During its implementation, Olaki and other engineers faced difficult working conditions, including security threats and road ambushes as they supervised the project.
Beyond the Karamoja road project, Olaki also supervised other major road works, including the tarmacking of the Moroto–Soroti Road in 2020, a project valued at Shs 646 billion, as well as the Pallisa–Kumi Road, which had a budget of Shs 146 billion.
His dismissal has surprised some people who argue that his previous record in supervising major national projects should also be considered when assessing his service.
Questions have now emerged over whether some of the dismissed officials have been fairly judged, with critics suggesting that internal disagreements within the Ministry of Works could have influenced the decisions.
However, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who ordered the dismissal of the engineers, is expected to rely on investigations and evidence before making final conclusions about the officials involved.
Supporters of the affected engineers maintain that further reviews will reveal the facts and establish whether the allegations against them accurately reflect their years of service and contribution to Uganda’s infrastructure development.
The developments have sparked renewed debate about accountability, professionalism, and the treatment of experienced engineers who have overseen some of the country’s largest road projects.
