CSOs critical of high public administration costs

By Francis Emorut

KAMPALA – A civil society group has rapped government over high public administration, saying it is high time ways are devised to reduce the blotted administration cost.

Speaking on behalf of civil society actors, Richard Sekiryanga appreciated government for allowing their collective voice to be heard.

He also hailed government for the milestone improvement in the ministry of finance in implementing integrated financial management systems.

Despite this, the civil society group brought to fore concerns of their own.

One of these is the need to revisit the taxation of agricultural inputs as, according to them, it hurts the farmers.

The group also wants government to look at alternative ways of raising revenue rather than relying on taxes from multinational companies.

They also insisted on accountability and transparency on the part of government, as well as effective service delivery.

"Theft of public funds must be addressed by government because it is a concern by citizens of the country," said Sekiryanga, who is the head of Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF).

The group demanded further for coordinated approach in evaluation and monitoring of government projects.

These comments came during the Budget Strategy forum for financial year 2015/16 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
 

Finance minister Maria Kiwanuka (L) and PM Ruhakana Rugunda attended the forum. (Photo credit: Francis Emorut)

‘Deal with corruption’

On her part, the minister of finance Maria Kiwanuka commended the civil society group for their role in checking government but emphasized that they should also be accountable and be transparent in their mode of operation.

She pledged that her ministry is committed to improving service delivery in the country.

The Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda also attended the meeting, where he advocated for fundamental investment in increasing productivity and production in the agricultural sector.

He also called for the scaling up of infrastructure development in areas of energy and information and communication technology (ICT) and human resource development.

Rugunda urged public officials to tackle corruption head-on if service delivery in the country is to improve.

The permanent secretary in the ministry of finance and secretary to the treasury, Keith Muhakanizi called on government officials to deliver services effectively and efficiently.

He acknowledged that service delivery across the country remains poor due to absenteeism by teachers and health workers.

The budget strategy forum attracted development partners, local government representatives, cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries, resident district commissioners and civil society advocates.