Suruma regrets failing to restructure finance

Feb 24, 2009

FORMER finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma has regretted his failure to implement President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to restructure the finance ministry and blamed bureaucrats.

By Raymond Baguma
and Brian Mayanja

FORMER finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma has regretted his failure to implement President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to restructure the finance ministry and blamed bureaucrats.

He said the ministry still performed non-core functions that could be taken over by other ministries.
Suruma advised the incoming minister to effect the restructuring.

The former minister, now the presidential adviser on finance and economic planning, however, said the departments of microfinance and investments were restructured.
Suruma also regretted not accomplishing the passing into law, of the Pensions Reforms and Microfinance Regulations Bills.

Handing over to the new minister, Syda Bbumba, at the ministry boardroom on Monday, Suruma said one of his achievements was simplifying the reading of the national budget.

He also said the ministry had improved efficiency in the handling of salaries.

Suruma also said the ministry under his four-year tenure had been able to establish a unit to monitor public expenditure.

The Uganda Revenue Authority chief, Allen Kagina, permanent secretary Chris Kassami and Keith Muhakanizi, the deputy treasury secretary, also attended.

Outgoing state ministers Maj. Gen. Salim Saleh and Prof. Semakula Kiwanuka handed over to Ruth Nankabirwa and Aston Kajara.
Saleh is the new presidential adviser on defence while Semakula is the ambassador designate to Dubai.

Like Suruma, Saleh also regretted his failure to influence the ministry and the Bank of Uganda to lower the interest rates on loans during his tenure as microfinance state minister.

Fred Omach remains the state minister for general duties and Rukia Chekamondo as state minister for privatisation.

Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu was appointed state minister for planning. He previously served as a state minister in the trade ministry.

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