MPs want entities with persistent audit queries penalised with budget cuts
Nsamba made the remarks on August 3, 2026, as Members of Parliament (MPs) on the committee, which he chairs, interfaced with officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) led by permanent secretary Eng. Irene Bateebe.
MPs want entities with persistent audit queries penalised with budget cuts
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Chairperson of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), Patrick Nsamba Guma-Oshabe, wants entities with persistent audit queries to be sanctioned through budget cuts.
Nsamba made the remarks on August 3, 2026, as Members of Parliament (MPs) on the committee, which he chairs, interfaced with officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) led by permanent secretary Eng. Irene Bateebe.
“I told you; I was part of the audit committee of the Pan-African Parliament, but every time you would fail to solve an audit query, the next financial year the impact is on your budget. People have all reasons to cut your budget down by that amount of the query you failed to address. I want to encourage the chairperson of the budget committee to handle entities that are failing to resolve audit matters in that manner,” Nsamba implored.
“I hope we will achieve that. I am going to convince the Speaker (Jacob Marksons Oboth) that is probably a better way to help you know that matters of audit are serious,” he added.
He was backed by Tororo South MP Fredrick Angura (NRM).
“What you are suggesting is good. Because you are aware that many of our agencies and departments owe these institutions money. So, to cut money from their budgets and directly remit is okay. We had done it with National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), and the same request should now move to energy to also follow suit,” Angura suggested.
Outstanding receivables
His comments followed an observation in Auditor General (AG) Edward Akol's report on the energy ministry for the 2024/25 financial year (FY).
MPs said the delay risked weakening the ministry's cash flow.
“The real problem is not these people or the ministry. It is Government which is supposed to pay bills for its entities. Either for the ministry or whoever. When we consume power, we must learn to pay. The issue is not with these people. Government ought to pay money so that we clear bills,” said Silas Aogon (Kumi Municipality, Independent).
However, when asked whether the ministry planned to write off the debt, Bateebe said, “We have required that as a ministry, the company first demonstrates all efforts. Because they had power sales agreements with these concessionaires and there are still growing concerns. I am aware that for some of them, they are in court.”
“We want to see a conclusive arrangement, and then we can see what amount can be offset,” she added.
In conclusion, she asked the committee to allow the two parties to reconcile. In response, Nsamba said he hoped the matter would not become a swansong.