A bombshell corruption saga surrounding Uganda’s national CCTV project has taken an even more dramatic twist after fresh details emerged showing how a maintenance contract that was allegedly supposed to cost Shs26 billion reportedly ballooned first to Shs31 billion and later to a staggering Shs61 billion, while the contractor at the centre of the dispute claims to have received only Shs3.8 billion.
The scandal has already claimed high-profile casualties, with Ministry of Internal Affairs Permanent Secretary Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, Police Undersecretary Aggrey Wunyi and AIGP Felix Baryamwisaki, the head of Police ICT, all sent on forced leave as investigations intensify.
The latest developments stem from a letter written by President Yoweri Museveni on May 23, 2026, to Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye. In that letter, the President disclosed that he had received a report from outgoing Internal Affairs Minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire detailing alleged corruption within both the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police Force connected to maintenance of the country’s security camera system.
According to Red Pepper , a local tabloid , there is an exclusive information suggesting that the roots of the scandal stretch back to a single phone call made directly to President Museveni.
According to documents obtained , the saga began on March 21, 2026, when Barbra Katisi of Dealan Company allegedly contacted the President directly regarding payments related to the CCTV maintenance project.
The very same day, President Museveni reportedly moved swiftly and directed Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, the Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, to investigate the matter.
In a letter dated March 21, 2026, Museveni stated that he had received an appeal from Barbra Katisi of Dealan Company, who allegedly informed him that her company had been contracted to maintain police cameras supplied by Huawei Technologies.
According to the President’s letter, she claimed that the company carried out the work and was supposed to be paid Shs26 billion.
The letter further stated that the amount was allegedly inflated to Shs31 billion and later to Shs61 billion, but that only Shs3.8 billion had actually been paid.
The President directed Brig. Gen. Isoke to investigate the allegations and submit a report, while also requesting assistance from State House auditor Milton Tumwiine.
In the March 21, 2026 letter, Museveni wrote directly to Brig. Gen. Isoke under the subject, “MISMANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL CCTV PROJECT BY THE UGANDA POLICE FORCE.”
The President stated: “I have got an appeal from Barbra Katisi of Dealan Company on telephone 0772120614 that she had been given a contract to maintain the Police cameras, I bought from Huawei. She did the work and was supposed to be paid Sh.26billion. The Police instead inflated the figure to Sh. 31billion and, later on, to Sh.61billion but only paid her 3.8billion.”
Museveni then issued a direct order: “Investigate this case and give me a report. My auditor Tumwiine should also help you.”
Copies of the directive were sent to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Chief of Defence Forces, the Inspector General of Police, the Inspector General of Government, the State House Comptroller and the State House auditor.
Sources say the letter immediately triggered panic across several government offices.
Just over two weeks later, on April 8, 2026, Brig. Gen. Isoke formally wrote to Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu informing him that investigations had commenced following the presidential directive.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit informed the Permanent Secretary that a team headed by legal officer Israel Ochwo had been constituted to investigate the allegations.
The investigators requested an extensive list of documents relating to the CCTV project.
Among the documents requested were contracts between the Uganda Police Force and service providers involved in supplying, installing and maintaining surveillance equipment in Kampala and other cities across Uganda.
The investigators also demanded approvals from the Solicitor General, procurement files, contract committee minutes, Police asset registers, invoices, delivery notes, acceptance certificates, work logs, performance evaluations, payment requests, payment vouchers and accountability records.
In addition, the team requested correspondence, emails, memos and negotiation records involving the Uganda Police Force, Dealan Associates Limited, Huawei Technologies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and officials from the Ministry of Finance.
The anti-corruption investigators sought any other material relevant to the CCTV contracts.
The pressure was now mounting.
On April 9, 2026, Lt. Gen. Musanyufu in turn wrote to the Inspector General of Police demanding that all the requested information be urgently assembled.
The Permanent Secretary informed Police that the State House Anti-Corruption Unit required the records as part of the presidentially directed investigation into alleged mismanagement of the national CCTV project.
The communication was treated as urgent.
The Inspector General of Police then delegated the task to Police Undersecretary Aggrey Wunyi.
A week later, on April 16, 2026, Wunyi responded.
In his communication to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he indicated that the requested information had been compiled and attached.
According to the letter, the documents supplied included contracts, Solicitor General approvals, procurement records, invoices, demand notes, delivery notes, acceptance certificates, work logs, performance evaluations, payment requests and extensive correspondence involving the various parties connected to the project.
The Police Undersecretary also stated that the Police asset register had not been attached due to its volume but would be made available separately.
With the documents now in investigators’ hands, the inquiry gathered momentum.
Its alleged that President Museveni later received a preliminary report from Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire outlining alleged corruption concerns involving officials within both the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police Force.
The report reportedly prompted the President to order Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, Aggrey Wunyi and AIGP Felix Baryamwisaki to proceed on forced leave pending the conclusion of investigations.
According to the President’s communication, the CCTV project originated from a partnership between the Government of Uganda and Chinese technology giant Huawei.
The surveillance system was installed to help combat crime.
However, after Huawei was affected by sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union in 2019, the Ministry of Internal Affairs selected Dealan Associates Limited to undertake maintenance of the CCTV infrastructure.
President Museveni stated that at one stage there was no budget available to pay the contractor.
According to the President, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire engaged the Ministry of Finance and secured Shs31.37 billion to facilitate payment.
However, the President further stated that officials allegedly frustrated the payment process by demanding kickbacks through an individual identified as Hassan Sserunjogi.
The President subsequently directed that the implicated officials proceed on forced leave while investigations continue.
He also instructed Public Service to designate an acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The President further directed that criminal proceedings be initiated against the alleged middleman should sufficient evidence be obtained.
Government was also directed to clear outstanding payments owed to the contractor.
The CCTV investigations come at a time when several other government institutions are facing scrutiny over allegations of corruption, self-enrichment and money laundering.
The CCTV network itself remains one of the country’s most expensive security investments.
Police installed a total of 5,709 CCTV cameras nationwide in two phases.
Despite the massive rollout, officials have reported recurring connectivity problems, vandalism and disruptions caused by road construction and civil works, necessitating continuous repairs and maintenance.
Yet even as investigators continue digging through contracts, invoices and payment records, new questions continue to emerge.
Who exactly is Barbra Katisi, the woman whose phone call to President Museveni via telephone No.0772120614 on March 21, 2026, appears to have set off one of the most explosive investigations in recent memory?
Does she solely own Dealan Associates Limited?
Who is the powerful figure (NRA historical) reportedly backing her?
What role, if any, did Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, Aggrey Wunyi, AIGP Felix Baryamwisaki and other officials play in the handling of the CCTV maintenance contracts?
Beyond Dealan, insiders say she is linked to a major telecom company in the country. What is her real job and influence there? What is her actual deployment and role within the company?
Source: Redpepper Online
