Meseveni (2nd left) watching the unveiling of the CCTV camera’s by the Uganda Police
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to send three senior government and police officials on forced leave for six months was driven by an escalating corruption and bribery investigation linked to the maintenance of Uganda’s national CCTV camera system, one of the country’s most critical security projects.
The officials affected by the directive are Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Aggrey Wunyi, the Undersecretary and Accounting Officer of the Uganda Police Force, and AIGP Felix Baryamwitsaki, the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the police.
The President’s action followed allegations that senior officials frustrated payment processes for a local contractor tasked with maintaining the surveillance cameras, despite the Ministry of Finance already releasing the required funds.
At the centre of the scandal is a Shs31.37 billion payment meant for Dealan Associates Limited, a Ugandan company contracted to maintain and repair the country’s CCTV infrastructure after Chinese technology giant Huawei stepped back from direct maintenance operations.
According to Museveni, the government initially partnered with Huawei to install the surveillance camera network as part of efforts to curb violent crime and improve urban security.
“I arranged with Huawei to supply road cameras to Uganda to fight the rampant crime of that time,” Museveni stated in a May 23, 2026 directive addressed to Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye.
Uganda expanded its CCTV network following a series of high-profile assassinations and rising criminal activity between 2017 and 2018, making the system a central pillar of national security and intelligence operations.
Museveni explained that after Huawei faced sanctions from the United States and the European Union in 2019, the company “tactically decided to rely on a private Ugandan company to do the maintenance and repair of cameras.”
That company, Dealan Associates Limited, was later selected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to handle maintenance and technical support for the cameras.
“Dealan Associates Limited, owned by some Ugandan scientists, was selected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to be the one to do that,” the President wrote.
However, problems reportedly emerged when the contractor attempted to access payment for completed maintenance work.
Museveni disclosed that the Ministry of Finance had already released Shs31.37 billion after intervention by the outgoing Internal Affairs Minister, Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, who reportedly pushed for the funds to ensure uninterrupted operation of the CCTV system.
“At some point, there was no budget to pay them. Major-General Kahinda Otafiire liaised with Ministry of Finance and they got Ug Shs31.37 billion from Ministry of Finance to do that,” Museveni said.
Despite the release of the money, the contractor allegedly failed to receive payment because ministry officials were demanding kickbacks before authorising the transaction.
The President said the officials allegedly used a middleman identified as Hassan Serunjoji to solicit bribes from the contractor.
“Yet, the Ugandan contractor was not paid because the Ministry officials, through a middleman, Hassan, were demanding for bribes,” Museveni wrote.
The allegations prompted Otafiire to compile a report exposing the suspected graft within the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police Force.
Museveni said it was this report that compelled him to intervene and allow the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) to investigate the matter without interference from the officials involved.
“I now direct that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu and the Under-Secretary Police, Mr Aggrey Wunyi, go on forced leave for six months as the Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating their matter to its conclusion,” the President directed.
Museveni also ordered that AIGP Felix Baryamwitsaki vacates office temporarily pending the conclusion of investigations.
“By the copy of this letter, AIGP Felix Baryamwitsakyi, should go on forced leave as this investigation is reviewed and concluded,” he stated.
The President’s directive also included several immediate measures aimed at protecting the integrity of the CCTV project and ensuring continuity in government operations.
Museveni instructed the Head of Public Service to appoint an acting Permanent Secretary so that the Ministry of Internal Affairs continues functioning smoothly during the investigations.
“You should designate an acting Permanent Secretary,” he directed.
At the same time, Museveni ordered that Dealan Associates Limited be paid immediately to prevent disruptions in the maintenance of the CCTV network.
“Barbra Katisi, of Dealan Associates Limited, should be paid her money,” the President wrote.
The President further demanded legal action against Hassan Serunjoji if investigators find sufficient evidence linking him to the alleged bribery scheme.
“Hassan Serunjoji should be charged if the evidence is there,” Museveni ordered.
The forced leave directive marks one of the most significant anti-corruption interventions in recent months within Uganda’s security establishment, highlighting growing concerns over accountability in multi-billion-shilling surveillance and security projects.
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