UIPE calls for due process in anti-corruption fight, stronger engineer-government collaboration

30 July 2026, 7:59 pm

By Ronad Ssemagonja

The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) has called for closer collaboration between government and the engineering profession, urging that due process be followed in the fight against corruption to improve accountability and service delivery.

The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) has today in Kampala held the second edition of the UIPE Voice under the theme, “Public Infrastructure and Professional Responsibility: The Engineer’s Role.”

The engagement brought together engineers, government officials and other stakeholders to discuss the relationship between local governments and the engineering profession, as well as the role engineers play in national development.

Speaking during the event, the President of UIPE, Eng. Peterson Mwesiga, said the institution fully supports government’s efforts to fight corruption but emphasized that such efforts should follow proper legal and professional procedures.
“We support government in fighting corruption, but we believe due process should be followed.”

Mwesiga noted that UIPE regularly investigates incidents such as building collapses, although many of the findings are not made public.

He also revealed that the Engineers Bill, which had earlier been tabled before Parliament, was withdrawn to allow for further consultations.

According to Mwesiga, the institution believes engineers should play a more active role in supporting government ministries, particularly by providing professional guidance and contributing to policy formulation.
“We are proposing a framework aimed at improving service delivery through stronger collaboration.”

He added that UIPE has established a special team to handle issues affecting the engineering profession and the construction industry.

Mwesiga further challenged engineers to communicate their contributions more effectively, saying the public rarely appreciates the professionals behind major infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, hospitals, water systems and power dams.

He observed that engineers have for many years remained in the background, even when public debates concern projects they designed or supervised.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner in the Ministry of Local Government, Geoffrey Etedu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, acknowledged the challenges facing local governments but welcomed closer cooperation with UIPE.

Etedu said government has already directed that every district and municipality should have a registered engineer to strengthen service delivery and oversight of public infrastructure.

While supporting the removal of corrupt officials, he stressed that disciplinary action should always follow established procedures to ensure fairness and better outcomes.

The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers is the country’s professional body for engineers, representing more than 12,000 members through eight regional branches. It says the UIPE Voice platform is intended to strengthen public engagement and promote the engineering profession’s contribution to national development.