Auditor General, John Muwanga

MPs sitting on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Monday grilled the Ministry of Education and Sports officials to explain their expenditure of over 2.1billion shillings of public funds meant for private Universities.

In his June 30^th 2016 report to Parliament, Auditor General, John Muwanga, highlighted that the Ministry transferred 2.1billion shillings to six private Universities, in fulfillment of Presidential pledges.

The beneficiary Universities included; Bishop Staurt University which received 380 million shillings , Kumi University 300Million shillings , Kisubi Brothers University College 912.5Million shillings , Nkumba University 300M, Mountains of the Moon University 150M and Ndejje University 150M.

During the audit process, the auditors discovered that the transfers lacked detailed information with regards to status of implementation of pledges where the benefiting universities had to construct libraries, laboratories and other science blocks.

The auditors also queried discovered that the transfers were made without putting in place mechanisms for accountability from the universities that benefited from President Museveni’s generosity.

In their response, the Ministry told MPs that only Nkumba and Ndejje Universities have handed in their accountabilities.

Director Higher Education Robert Odok Oceng said that the understanding is that the students from private Universities are also Ugandans who come to the job market, who should be properly trained.

During the interface, it was discovered that the Ministry issued the funds without drawing any agreement with the Universities.

The Ministry acknowledged that there was no memorandum of understanding drawn but revealed these have since been put in place.

Gerald Karuhanga the Ntugamo MP

Gerald Karuhanga, Ntungamo Municipality MP wondered how the Ministry would commit such huge funds to private Universities, yet public Universities are grappling with meager funds.

He also questioned why the Ministry budget should go into paying presidential pledges, yet Parliament allocates monies to the Office of the President to meet presidential pledges.

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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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