UPE in crisis over funds

Nov 10, 2004

UNIVERSAL Primary Education (UPE) is in crisis following the withholding of funds after most districts, including Kampala, failed to account for capitation grants disbursed by the finance ministry.

By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
UNIVERSAL Primary Education (UPE) is in crisis following the withholding of funds after most districts, including Kampala, failed to account for capitation grants disbursed by the finance ministry.

Last month, money was disbursed to only 14 districts that had accounted for the money. About 14 other districts complied in September.

“We have a crisis in the education system because districts don’t account for funds and once they fail to do so, they cannot receive any money,” the education ministry permanent secretary, Francis Lubanga, said yesterday.

The only districts that received funding last month were Arua, Bushenyi, Jinja, Kasese, Kibaale, Kisoro, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luweero, Masindi, Mubende, Nakapiripirit, Ntungamo, Gulu and Jinja, Lira, Soroti and Moroto municipalities.
Some districts have not accesed the grant since August for failure to account for it.

“And without the capitation grant, it is very difficult for schools to operate,” Lubanga said.

A document from the ministry showed that the performance of districts on the funds was below 34%, with Pader as low as 11% while most districts stood at 22%.
Lubanga told delegates at the education sector review workshop in Kampala on Monday that the Ministry of Finance releases funds late.

The director of education, Richard Akankwasa, said Chief Administrative Officers had been warned against submitting accountabilities late.

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