Opio grilled over funds diversion
Mar 17, 2009
By Milton Olupot
A total of sh500m meant for the women and youth councils was diverted to build palaces for the Adhola and Teso paramount chiefs.
The gender, labour and social development minister, Gabriel Opio, yesterday told MPs that the money was intact and the palaces were not built because the works ministry had not yet approved the architectural plan and the land titles.
Opio, youth state minister Jessica Alupo and permanent secretary Christine Guwatudde were appearing before the committee to present the ministry’s 2008/09 half-year performance report.
Elijah Okupa (FDC) said although the money was diverted, the Teso paramount chief had not received it.
“This money was released last year and we fear that it could have been diverted again,†he said.
Sarah Wasike (NRM) asked how the Government expected the councils to operate without funds, adding that the councils had become dormant.
Northern Uganda Youth MP Denis Obua said the funding for youth activities had reduced.
“This is a people’s ministry because it deals with the youth, women, children, the elderly and disabled. It holds the winning ticket for the party and it should be handled carefully if the NRM wants to come back to power in 2011,†he warned.
The committee chaired by Beatrice Lagada (NRM), also questioned the mid-term budget and observed that it contained many inconsistencies.
Opio and his team were advised to reconcile their report with the finance ministry.
Nakwang Tubbo and William Nokrach (both NRM) said there was need for the ministry’s funding to be increased.
The MPs said the state of women, children and the level of unemployment for the youth needed funding, adding that the development of programmes for the disabled persons also called for more money.
A total of sh500m meant for the women and youth councils was diverted to build palaces for the Adhola and Teso paramount chiefs.
The gender, labour and social development minister, Gabriel Opio, yesterday told MPs that the money was intact and the palaces were not built because the works ministry had not yet approved the architectural plan and the land titles.
Opio, youth state minister Jessica Alupo and permanent secretary Christine Guwatudde were appearing before the committee to present the ministry’s 2008/09 half-year performance report.
Elijah Okupa (FDC) said although the money was diverted, the Teso paramount chief had not received it.
“This money was released last year and we fear that it could have been diverted again,†he said.
Sarah Wasike (NRM) asked how the Government expected the councils to operate without funds, adding that the councils had become dormant.
Northern Uganda Youth MP Denis Obua said the funding for youth activities had reduced.
“This is a people’s ministry because it deals with the youth, women, children, the elderly and disabled. It holds the winning ticket for the party and it should be handled carefully if the NRM wants to come back to power in 2011,†he warned.
The committee chaired by Beatrice Lagada (NRM), also questioned the mid-term budget and observed that it contained many inconsistencies.
Opio and his team were advised to reconcile their report with the finance ministry.
Nakwang Tubbo and William Nokrach (both NRM) said there was need for the ministry’s funding to be increased.
The MPs said the state of women, children and the level of unemployment for the youth needed funding, adding that the development of programmes for the disabled persons also called for more money.