SCIENCE MINISTRY ROT! 25 scientists govt spent sh5bn on to study in China abandoned

KAMPALA – A group of 25 young Ugandan engineers and technicians, once celebrated as the future of Uganda’s industrial transformation, now find themselves unemployed, frustrated, and disillusioned after being sidelined from a flagship government science and technology project.

The engineers were part of the National Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation Skills Enhancement Project (NSTEI-SEP), a Shs430 billion initiative funded by a loan from China’s EXIM Bank and counterpart funding from the Government of Uganda. Between 2019 and 2022, government spent approximately Shs5 billion training the young professionals in Uganda and China, with the promise that they would become the backbone of the project’s state-of-the-art engineering centres in Namanve and Rwebitete, Kiruhura.

But instead of leading innovation, they were allegedly sidelined and humiliated.

“We were sidelined from project activities to prevent us from interfering with their theft,” one of the trainees told this publication.

“They even made us look inexperienced and hired their own people to lead departments and gave them higher salaries. Out of sheer frustration, most of us recently quit the project. Now, many of us are seated at home jobless, while their relatives continue to benefit from our hard work.”

Despite undergoing specialized training, the scientists were reportedly deployed as mere machine operators, with little regard for their advanced skills. Sources say they faced pay cuts, no allowances, and no medical insurance.

When they raised concerns, the management allegedly threatened them with dismissal. Several eventually walked away in frustration.

“A team who were trained in China for Construction Machinery Technology were dumped in the field as mere operators. They faced pay cuts, no allowances, and no medical insurance. When they complained, they threatened to fire them until some left with frustration,” one trainee explained.

Nepotism Over Merit

Instead of utilizing the trained engineers, the project’s leadership allegedly handpicked their own recruits—some without relevant expertise—into key managerial positions. These new appointees reportedly enjoyed higher salaries, perks, and authority, while the rigorously trained team was sidelined.

The sidelined engineers believe this was a deliberate strategy to keep them away from core operations.

“They knew we had the skills and could detect the fraud in procurement and recruitment. So they kept us out of the system,” another source noted.

For instance John Mugisha, 28 – Construction Machinery Specialist, trained in China for two years in heavy construction machinery maintenance and operation. He was promised a supervisory role in the Rwebitete training centre. Instead, he was deployed as a bulldozer operator without insurance or allowances.

“He studied to lead teams, not to be treated like a casual labourer. Now he sits at home in Mbarara with no job and no hope,” says a source.

Sarah Nabirye, 27 – Civil Engineering Trainee, was one of the few women in the program. After training in China on bridge and road construction technology, she expected to be part of Uganda’s infrastructure revolution. Instead, she was sidelined and replaced by a male recruit allegedly connected to a top official.

“They told her she lacked experience, but she had just returned from China with practical training. It was an excuse to push her aside.”

David Okello, 30 – specialized in farm machinery and irrigation systems meant to support Uganda’s food security programs. Today, he is jobless in Lira.

“He turned down private sector offers because he wanted to serve his country. Now, he regrets that decision. His classmates abroad are excelling while he is stuck,” the source adds.

Brian Ssemanda, 29 –trained in metal works and fabrication and had been enthusiastic about Uganda’s oil and gas sector opportunities. Instead, he was relegated to minor repair work, earning less than casual welders.

“They were supposed to be the trainers of trainers. Now, they are treated like surplus labour.”

Billions Wasted, Dreams Crushed

The abandonment of the 25 engineers has sparked outrage among stakeholders, with critics warning that Uganda risks squandering a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The government invested heavily in their training, expecting them to become multipliers of knowledge who would transform Uganda’s engineering workforce.

Instead, most of them are now unemployed, disillusioned, and watching their dreams collapse.

“It’s heartbreaking. We were motivated to serve our country. We thought we would be given a chance to contribute. But we were betrayed,” one former trainee lamented.

Analysts warn that this mismanagement undermines the entire purpose of the NSTEI-SEP project, which was billed as Uganda’s equivalent of the Law Development Centre—only this time for engineers.

“If 25 rigorously selected, highly trained young professionals can be discarded like this, then what does that say about Uganda’s commitment to building local capacity?” asked one governance expert.

The young engineers are now calling on President Museveni to intervene and restore their rightful place in the project.

“We don’t want handouts. We want to work for our country. But they pushed us out so that they could steal. This is unfair to us and a betrayal to Uganda,” the group emphasized.

THE PETITION THAT EXPOSED THE ROT

Their grievances are echoed in a petition authored by a concerned citizen, which was recently sent to President Museveni. The petition accuses the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation—particularly its head, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero—and the project leadership of:

Blocking oversight structures: The UNCST Executive Secretary position has been left vacant for nearly five years, and at one point, the governing council was dissolved without replacement, creating a vacuum of accountability.

Power grab: The Minister allegedly rebranded the project into the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre (EDIC) and shifted its control away from UNCST, without any legal or parliamentary approval.

Irregular recruitment: The petition cites individuals brought on board without interviews, including a self-styled HR consultant who allegedly drew allowances even while abroad for months.

Financial irregularities: From redesigning facilities without contracts committee approval, to inflating land purchase costs by Shs3.5 billion, to paying ghost staff.

FULL STORY HERE: https://redpepper.co.ug/storm-at-science-ministry-sh400bn-nstei-se-project-plagued-by-irregular-recruitment-mismanagement-and-alleged-corruption/142217/