MBALE — A Kadodi cultural sculpture installed at the Sleeping Baby roundabout off Tororo Road in Mbale City has ignited sharp public criticism after reports emerged that the project cost 98 million Ugandan shillings under the supervision of the city’s Senior Public Relations Officer, Mr. James Kutosi.
The sculpture, depicting elements of the traditional Bagisu Kadodi dance, was intended as a cultural landmark and tourist attraction celebrating the heritage of the Bamasaba people. Kadodi is a vibrant drumming and dance performance closely tied to the Imbalu circumcision ceremonies that define much of the region’s cultural identity. Similar installations have appeared at other roundabouts in the city as part of efforts to brand Mbale as a cultural destination.
According to information circulating widely on social media and local online platforms, the sculpture at the Sleeping Baby roundabout carried a price tag of Sh98 million. The figure has drawn immediate skepticism from residents, civil society voices, and online commentators who question whether the expenditure represents value for public funds.
Critics have pointed to the relatively modest scale of the installation and asked how such a sum was justified. Many have called for full disclosure of the procurement process, the identity of the contractor or artists involved, the breakdown of costs (materials, labour, transport, installation, and any related fees), and the technical specifications approved by city authorities. Some residents have described the amount as excessive for a single roadside sculpture, especially in a city facing competing demands for road maintenance, drainage, street lighting, and basic services.
Mr. James Kutosi, Mbale City’s Senior Public Relations Officer, is named in circulating reports as the official who supervised the project. Kutosi has previously spoken publicly on city matters, including revenue collection, recruitment exercises, and infrastructure concerns. At the time of writing, no detailed official statement from the Mbale City leadership or from Kutosi specifically addressing the Sh98 million figure, the procurement process, or the final audit of the sculpture project had been widely published.
The controversy touches on broader concerns about transparency in local government spending. Uganda’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) guidelines require competitive bidding, clear documentation, and value-for-money assessments for public projects. Residents and accountability advocates have urged the city to release the relevant tender documents, evaluation reports, and completion certificates so the public can assess whether proper procedures were followed.
Local voices on social media have mixed cultural pride with fiscal caution. While many welcome visible symbols of Bagisu identity in public spaces, they insist that cultural projects should not become vehicles for inflated costs. “We love our Kadodi and we want to see our culture celebrated,” one resident posted, “but 98 million for one sculpture needs explanation. Show us the receipts.”
The Sleeping Baby roundabout itself is a notable landmark on the Tororo Road corridor, a busy approach into Mbale. The decision to site a Kadodi sculpture there was presumably aimed at giving visitors an immediate cultural impression of the city. Whether the final product justifies the reported cost remains the central question now confronting city officials.
As pressure mounts, calls for an independent review or audit of the expenditure are growing. City authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive public accounting of the project. Until they do, the Sh98 million Kadodi sculpture risks becoming a symbol not of cultural celebration, but of unresolved questions about how public money is spent in Mbale City.
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