According to statistics from the National Planning Authority, of the total current number of 130 ministries, department and agencies, only 27 have successfully submitted their strategic plans that have already been  approved.

Speaking during annual planner’s forum last week, the state minister for finance, David Bahati, said that ordinarily the budget follows planning, but that in Uganda ministries budget are most times approved without proper plans.

He said that in these August releases, no ministry, department or agency will be given money without presenting a strategic plan.

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Dr. Muvawala (right) with Dr.Kisamba Mugerwa who he replaced at National Planning Authority.

Otto’s remarks come shortly after the Executive Director to National Planning Authority, Dr.Joseph Muwala told a Parliamentary Committee on Budgets that they were constrained by unfulfilled pledges by the President.

He says that every time the President visits different constituencies and districts, the electorates ask him for different things which sometimes cannot be met because of the budget constraints.

He says each leader including LC 1 to be availed with a copy of the budget and a strategic plan and that anyone who asks the president for something that is not streamlined be arrested.

Otto says that it would be dangerous for the Authority to prioritize instructions other than an approved budget.

The Chairperson of the Budgetary Committee, Henry Musasizi , conquered with Otto saying that these unbudgeted pledges result into the President promising ‘air’ to his electorates.

Musasizi says there is need for government to adopt guiding principles which it should follow while making these pledges for better implementation of government plans.

However, the minister of state for planning, David Bahati refuted claims that the President promises air and instead blamed ministries which he says fail to capture the President’s pledges for implementation.

Bahati also says that in order to reduce the 400 billion domestic arrears government has ordered all ministries to make it a priority to pay all the companies that owe them money in this first quarter and they have instructed them to stop acquiring services from companies when they know they do not have the money to pay them.

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The Committee Chairperson,  Angeline Osegge (Soroti) urged Members to actively participate in committee activities especially upcoming workshops which she said will enhance their capability in handling sensitive accountability questions.

Hon.Angeline Osegge and Hon. Winfred Kizza at the Hand Over Ceremony for the Public Accounts Committee Chairperson ship by Hon. Alice Alaso at Parliament.

“I welcome members from the Munyonyo workshop and also encourage you all to attend all other scheduled workshops which will widen our appreciation of handling accountability issues in line with our mandate,” Osegge said.

She also informed Committee Members about a two-day workshop organised by Office of the Auditor General which commences on August 15, 2016.

According to a July 27th  letter from Office of the Auditor General addressed to the Public Accounts Committee Chairperson, the workshop is intended to sensitize members of accountability committees on key highlights of the Audit Report for the Financial Year 2014/2015.

“It is will also provide guidance to committees for developing work plans to discuss the Audit Report effectively,” reads the letter in part.

The Committee, which was also scheduled to meet officials from Ministries of Internal Affairs and Local Government, adjourned after the officials declined to attend and instead proposed different dates.

Mazuri County Member of Parliament Hon. Akora Maxwell, also a Committee member, requested the Committee to reject dates set by officials meant to appear before them but rather move in line with appointments set by the Committee.

“I wonder whether it is proper for the officials to choose when to appear before us,” said MP Akora, before adding  that according to the current backlog, officials’ response to summons from the Committee must be swift and prompt.

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Butaleja woman Member of Parliament Milly Mugenyi has called upon civil society and stakeholders to support bills that back funding for ministries and government departments if vision 2040 is to be realized. MP Mugyenyi  is concerned that most times ministries and departments are not functional because they don’t have enough funds to carry out their activities. She says that some ministries have become dormant because they are in dire need of resources, citing an example the ministry of disaster preparedness’ which she says needs first aide and  funds to deal with disaster problems.

The minister noted that ministries should not be about buildings but functional in order to deliver services to the people.

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John Mitala

President Yoweri Museveni has made mini changes among permanent secretaries by transferring two permanent secretaries. In a letter dated December 4/2015 signed by secretary to cabinet who is also head of public service, John Mitala, the Permanent  secretary of Education ministry Dr. Nassali Lukwago has been transferred from education to judicial service commission.

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