The head of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Legal Department, Mary Kuteesa is being investigated by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) over conflict of interest.

In a letter dated January 9, the IGG wrote to UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina about Kuteesa’s alleged “non-disclosure of information” despite being a member of the authority’s contracts committee.

“It was specifically alleged that her husband through his law firm Arcodco and Company Advocates represents construction companies like China Wuyi Co. Ltd and China Communications Company, information she never disclosed,” wrote the IGG.

The development comes high on the heels of a bitter fight among construction companies over multi-million dollar road projects.

Contacted, Kuteesa denied the charge, saying she had “no doubt that this allegation is being peddled by some corrupt and evil contractors in alliance with their brokers.”

She further said the accusation is “done with the sole purpose to harass, intimidate, and drain me of the effort to stand against corruption.”

If proven, the allegations could taint the reputation of the powerful contracts committee charged with scrutinizing road contractors before being handed billions of taxpayers’ money for construction works on public roads.

Kuteesa said she had asked her husband who “confirmed to me categorically that none of the two companies are his clients or in fact clients of any of his Partners.”

She stressed the office of the IGG “would have easily or can still quickly cross check this fact from him or from the named companies themselves.”

Kuteesa, who was a member of the UNRA probe committee before being appointed to lead the authority’s legal department, further said she knew “the God who sent me to UNRA and I will not back down. I will always stand for what is Godly, right and for what is fair and just. My service is first to God and second to the citizens of this country. Finally, nothing will stop my pursuit of corrupt free operations in my assignments.”

The IGG directed Kagina to “take appropriate action” and report to the Inspectorate within 30 days.