Eng. Samson Bagonza who has served as the Engineer in Chief and the Director of Engineering for the past 20 years has retired.
After clocking the mandatory retirement age, Eng. Bagonza (64), on Tuesday July 9, 2024 handed over the office to Eng. Stephen K. Kitonsa, who takes over from him.
A Chartered Engineer, a fellow at the Institution of Civil Engineers as well as a philanthropist, Eng. Bagonza is greatly celebrated by many, both within and outside the Engineering Profession.
He has greatly transformed Uganda’s engineering and construction industry, mentored and inspired some of the most brilliant minds in the country.
The Engineer in Chief oversees the 4 departments under the Engineering Directorate of the Ministry of Works. Among other duties, he extends advisory services and technical support to Ministries, Departments, Agencies, local governments and the public on matters of engineering and the construction industry.
Colleagues including the Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa, the Director of Transport Benon Kajuna gave him a befitting sendoff. Eng Kitonsa will serve in acting capacity pending a Public Service appointment.
But all was not rosy for the veteran engineer. In June 2010, he was jailed for abuse of office and causing a financial loss of sh1.6 billion.
At the time, the head of the Anti-Corruption Court and now retired judge John Bosco Katusi, sentenced him to five years imprisonment, condemning him to serve two years for abuse of office and three for causing financial after he was convicted of approving additional construction works between Zana and Kibuye during the CHOGM preparation contrary to the interest of the government.
However, in 2015, the Court of Appeal overturned Bagonza’s sentence, and also lifted a 10-year ban against his employment in civil service, paving the way to reclaim his job at the ministry.
However, in 2015, the Court of Appeal overturned Bagonza’s sentence, and also lifted a 10-year ban against his employment in civil service, paving the way to reclaim his job at the ministry.
He has been overseeing four departments under the Engineering Directorate at the works and transport ministry.
Among other duties, he has been extending advisory services and technical support to ministries, departments, agencies, local governments, and the public on matters of engineering and the construction industry.
Bagonza holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Makerere University. He also obtained a Master of Science degree in highway engineering from the University of Birmingham in 1986.
He joined the ministries of public service and works in December 1986 and was promoted to the rank of principal executive engineer in 1991.
In 1994, he was elevated to the rank of assistant commissioner in the works ministry, and in 1999, he was confirmed as full commissioner and also served as director of engineering and government engineer-in-chief.
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