Sh42b for RDCs, presidential advisors not released

PIC: Ethics and Integrity minister Fr. Simon Lokodo and State Minster Economic monitoring Kasirivu Atwoki appear before the presidential affairs committee of Parliament on September 6, 2016. Photos/Maria Wamala

The Office of the President has appealed to MPs to support their budget of over sh42b to facilitate the operations and allowances of Resident District Commissioners, their deputies and presidential advisors

Meeting MPs on Presidential Affairs committee on Tuesday, state minister of Ethics and Integrity Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo told the MPs that of the total amount; sh18b is required to facilitate 18 new senior presidential advisors recently appointed by the President and five from the newly created districts.

More sh3b is required to top up the current and inadequate facilitation for 116 RDCs and 67 deputies and sh1.9b to acquire vehicles, office accommodation, furniture and fittings, wages and duty facilitation allowance.

"This funding gap is likely to remain not provided in the financial year 2-17/18. This is where we appeal for members' support," he said.

According to Lokodo, the ministry further needs about sh18b to replace the aged fleet of about 137 vehicles, which represents 79% of the fleet.

"The current fleet is aged meaning they are above five years and need replacement. Unfortunately, the funds allocated under this priority area remain miserably inadequate," he said.

Right to left: Secretary Office of the President, Deborah Katuramu and State house controller Lucy Nakyobe appear before the presidential affairs committee of Parliament

 
Lokodo complained that due to their age, the vehicles keep breaking down due to their poor mechanical condition and rough terrain they operate increasing the cost of servicing and repairs.

But MP Susan Amero wondered whether there was need to appoint new presidential advisors when even some of the old advisors have never met the president.

"Why do we spend money on advisors when some have never met the President? Some actually ask us to connect them to the President," she said.

MP Jessica Ababiku complained of the behavior of some of the RDCs saying they have become small gods in their areas of operation.

"Our proposal was that government should rotate some of these RDCs. They beat up people, they don't do work and others have become politicians," she noted.

She wondered whether the office of the President monitors and disciplines some of the RDCs.

But the Permanent secretary Office of the President Deborah Katuramu said the advisors write reports which are presented to the president and sometimes meets them on individual basis.

"We have a desk in the office to deal and monitor the activities of the RDCs but these people are on the ground and doing a good job," she said.