The long awaited construction of the Lango Palace in Lira has become a symbol of frustration rather than pride, as a multi billion shilling project remains frozen in time. What was meant to be a majestic monument to cultural heritage is now the center of a heated investigation by the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers. This expert delegation, led by Dr. Anania Mbabazi from Makerere University, recently descended upon the site to uncover the truth behind why this critical project has ground to a halt despite significant government investment.
At the heart of the scandal is a confusing web of architectural discrepancies. Dr. Mbabazi revealed that the investigation is focused on reports of two conflicting designs: an original blueprint used for the contract and a mysterious second version introduced later. This confusion appears to be a calculated move by the contractor, CMD Investment Ltd, who is now demanding an additional 1.29 billion shillings to cover these alleged design changes. Even more shocking is the contractor’s demand for 813 million shillings in compensation for time lost during the three years the site sat silent.
However, the local authorities are not buying these excuses. Lira District Engineer Geoffrey Ongala expressed utter surprise at the claims, noting that the contractor had never once officially reported design issues to his office. The transparency of the project has been further clouded by allegations that CMD Investment Ltd secretly hired a subcontractor, Shelter Promotions Uganda Ltd, without seeking the necessary government approval.
The local community and cultural leaders have had enough of the excuses. Engineer Geoffrey Enen Okello, representing the cultural institution, is now calling for the immediate termination of the contract. He argues that the government must pivot to a company that actually possesses the technical skill and financial stability to get the job done. The sentiment is echoed by Willy Omodo Omodo, the Speaker of Tekwaro Alango, who accused the contractor of blatant corruption. He pointed out that the company attempted to bill the government 150 million shillings for staff housing that was actually provided for free by the cultural institution.
While the Office of the Prime Minister has already disbursed 1.2 billion shillings to the contractor, there is a glimmer of hope for taxpayers. John Baptist Ssendule confirmed that a bank guarantee is in place, which would allow the government to claw back 1.07 billion shillings if the contractor fails to deliver. The Permanent Secretary has already initiated legal steps with the Solicitor General to fire the current firm and move forward.
The message from Lango is clear: the community deserves a palace built on integrity, not on inflated invoices and unpaid worker wages. There is a growing demand to hand the remaining work to competent local firms from the Lango sub region who have a genuine stake in the project’s success. While the engineering body is expected to deliver its final verdict by June 2026, the people of Lango are calling for swifter justice to ensure their cultural home is finally completed.