Govt rolls out digital tool to improve financial accountability in Hoima city
Kumumanya said local governments are the primary engines of public service delivery, adding that the success of Government programmes depends largely on transparent and accountable officials
Onesimus Mulondo, the Program Specialist for local government public finance management reforms, Ministry of Local Government handing over a laptop and router to Hoima city officials. (Photos by Peter Abaanabasazi)
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The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, has called for greater transparency and accountability among public servants to improve service delivery to local communities.
He said local governments are the primary engines of public service delivery, adding that the success of Government programmes depends largely on transparent and accountable officials.
Kumumanya’s message was delivered by Onesmus Mulondo, the programme specialist for local government public finance management reforms, during the launch of the Simplified Computerised Accounting and Reporting Tool (SCART) in Hoima city on September 22, 2026.
SCART is a web-based financial management system developed to standardise accounting, budgeting and financial reporting across lower local governments and service delivery units.
The tool will be used specifically by Hoima East and West divisions and is aimed at strengthening accountability and improving financial management in local governments.
In his message, Kumumanya said the tool had so far been rolled out in 66 units, comprising 25 lower local governments and 41 health units and schools.
Ministry of Local Government officials posing for a photo with Hoima city technical staff
He challenged local governments to embrace the tool and urged political leaders, including mayors, to work with technical staff to champion the initiative and improve financial management.
Owen Alfred Abidrabo, the principal inspector at the Ministry of Local Government, said the system was intended to eliminate delays in financial reporting, inconsistent record-keeping and limited financial oversight.
He said the tool would enhance budget monitoring, revenue and expenditure tracking, asset and cash management, auditing and transparency.
He said introducing a digital system requires more than installing software, noting that it also calls for a deliberate shift in day-to-day operations and continuous efforts to build practical skills among users.
Michael Twinomujuni, a principal finance management specialist under public finance management reforms at the Ministry of Health, said that as part of the rollout, the ministry had provided a laptop and router to support data entry and facilitate use of the system.
He emphasised that the equipment was strictly for official Government business and should not be used for personal work.
He added that the tool was developed through a partnership between the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Ministry of Health to strengthen financial management and reporting across Government institutions.
Emmanuel Mugabe, the principal treasurer of Hoima East Division, commended the government for the initiative, saying the division had been using manual systems for data collection and reporting.
“In our division, we have been operating manually, and as you know, the manual system is prone to many challenges, including delayed reporting and inaccurate data collection, but with the introduction of SCART, all these challenges have been addressed,” he said.
Peter Muhesi, principal treasurer of Hoima West Division, said the tool would improve timely reporting and data management, which had been a challenge for the division.