A major storm has erupted within Uganda’s security establishment after President Yoweri Museveni ordered three senior officials in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police Force to step aside over an alleged Shs31 billion bribery scandal linked to the country’s CCTV surveillance project.
The officials affected are Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr Aggrey Wunyi, the Under-Secretary of the Uganda Police Force, and Assistant Inspector General of Police Felix Baryamwitsakyi.
The directive, according to sources familiar with the matter, was issued as investigators intensified inquiries into suspected corruption, abuse of office, and irregular procurement dealings tied to the multi-billion security project.
The decision has immediately drawn nationwide attention because of the seniority of the officials involved and the strategic importance of the CCTV surveillance programme, which government has for years described as a critical pillar in Uganda’s crime prevention and intelligence operations.
Officials close to the investigations say preliminary findings raised concerns over questionable payments, procurement procedures, and alleged kickbacks involving contracts under the CCTV system.
The surveillance project was launched following growing security fears in the country, especially after a string of assassinations targeting Muslim clerics, senior police officers, politicians, and other prominent individuals.
Government responded by investing heavily in advanced surveillance technology, including thousands of CCTV cameras installed across Kampala, Entebbe, Wakiso, and several other urban centres.
Authorities argued that the camera network would strengthen intelligence gathering, support criminal investigations, monitor traffic flow, and improve emergency response capabilities.
Over the years, police repeatedly credited the CCTV system for helping track down criminal suspects and providing evidence in several high-profile investigations.
Yet even as the project expanded, concerns persisted over the secrecy surrounding the procurement process and the enormous sums of money committed to the programme.
Opposition politicians, accountability committees in Parliament, and anti-corruption activists have long questioned the transparency of security-related contracts, arguing that classified procurement arrangements often shield public officials from scrutiny.
The latest scandal appears to have revived those concerns.
According to insiders, investigators are examining how approximately Shs31 billion was handled under certain CCTV-related transactions and whether public officials may have benefited illegally through bribery or irregular approvals.
Although government had not yet released detailed official findings by press time, the President’s intervention is being viewed as a sign that the allegations are being treated seriously at the highest level of the state.
Sources say the officials were directed to proceed on leave to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations and to allow detectives unrestricted access to documents, procurement records, and financial transactions linked to the project.
Lt. Gen. Musanyufu is one of the most experienced figures within Uganda’s security administration. Before becoming Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he served as Commissioner General of Prisons and held several influential positions in government security structures.
Mr Aggrey Wunyi, as Under-Secretary of the Uganda Police Force, oversees important administrative and financial functions within the police institution, making his office central to operational decision-making.
AIGP Felix Baryamwitsakyi is also regarded as a senior figure in Uganda’s policing system and has previously served in several strategic operational assignments.
The scandal now threatens to cast a shadow over one of government’s most expensive and visible security investments in recent years.
Political analysts say the matter could also become a major test of Uganda’s anti-corruption institutions, especially because cases involving senior security officials are often viewed as politically sensitive.
In recent years, the government has repeatedly pledged to intensify the fight against corruption, with President Museveni warning that misuse of public resources undermines service delivery and weakens state institutions.
However, critics have frequently argued that prosecutions targeting senior officials remain rare despite repeated scandals involving large amounts of public money.
Reports from the Auditor General and parliamentary committees have consistently highlighted procurement irregularities, unsupported expenditures, and accountability gaps across various government ministries and agencies.
The security sector, because of its classified operations, has particularly faced accusations of limited transparency in procurement and expenditure management.
The ongoing investigations are expected to involve multiple agencies, including the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate, and the Inspectorate of Government.
Legal experts say investigators are likely to focus on procurement documentation, payment authorisations, contractor relationships, and possible conflicts of interest involving officials connected to the project.
By Friday evening, none of the officials named in the scandal had publicly commented on the allegations or the President’s directive.
Observers believe the investigations could widen further if evidence emerges implicating additional officials, contractors, or intermediaries linked to the CCTV contracts.
The scandal has already triggered intense debate within political and security circles, with many Ugandans closely watching to see whether the investigations will lead to prosecutions or fade away like previous high-profile corruption cases.
For now, the forced leave of the three senior officials marks one of the boldest administrative actions taken in recent years against top figures within Uganda’s security and Internal Affairs establishment.
