POLITICS | PARLIAMENT | AUDIT | NODDING DISEASE

MPs have tasked the Auditor General to carry out an audit of the Shs1.3 billion that was allocated to support nodding disease-affected persons.

This was after legislators raised concern over the money that was appropriated by Parliament in March 2018.

“We will have a forensic audit on the funds released for nodding disease in addition to the rest of the requests. The Minister of Finance should also give us evidence that this money has been going to the districts,” the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among said.

In March 2018, Parliament authorized the government to spend shs1.3 billion for the revitalization of the interventions for nodding syndrome in Northern Uganda.

This followed a campaign to raise funds and support the children affected by the disease by the late Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah.

Kitgum District Woman MP, Lilian Aber, tabled a motion in the House urging the government to prioritize interventions into nodding disease in Northern Uganda saying the number of affected children has remained high.

“We request that government provides food relief and shelter to the affected family. There is an NGO, Irene Gleeson Foundation that has taken the mantle to spearhead mobilization for food items to support these families but it would have been better if the Office of the Prime Minister took on this,” Aber said.

According to the Centre for Disease Control, nodding disease syndrome is a neurologic condition that is characterized by episodes of repetitive dropping forward of the head, often accompanied by other seizure-like activity like convulsions or staring spells.

MP Betty Aol Ocan said that a non-governmental organization, Irene Gleeson Foundation has reported new cases of the disease. She said that the Ministry of Health needs to take charge and ensure that these cases are managed.

“People are asking if we have done something for these nodding syndrome children, it is a big shame,” she said.

State Minister of Health in charge of General Duties Anifa Kawoya said that government is alive to the challenge of the nodding syndrome.

“Initially the Ministry of Health was the one receiving the budget for nodding disease but from the financial years 2018 and 2019, the Ministry of Finance sends the money directly to the districts,” she said.

She added that the ministry welcomes the forensic audit into the funds provided to cater to the victims.