MPs reject sh14b State House budget
Sep 14, 2011
PARLIAMENT on Monday declined to approve a supplementary budget request of sh14b for State House.
By Catherine Bekunda and Mary Karugaba
PARLIAMENT on Monday declined to approve a supplementary budget request of sh14b for State House.
Members on the budget committee deferred the matter until State House comptroller Lucy Nakyobe appears before them to explain how the money was to be spent.
Finance state minister Jachan Omach had appeared before the committee to convince the MPs on the expenditure.
However, most of the members agreed that he was not competent enough to answer their queries. State House was represented by an accountant.
“Honourable chair, we need to save our energies for better things. The Minister of Finance is just forging and fidgeting with life. Let the substantial accounting officer appear before us,†argued Franca Akello (Agago county).
Rose Najjemba (Gomba) said the committee ought to listen to the comptroller defending her budget to enable them make informed decisions.
Of the sh14b requested, sh2b was for classified expenditure and sh1.6b for purchasing specialised machinery.
A total of sh3.9b was allocated for inland travel and another sh2.7b would fund the President’s travel abroad.
An additional sh400m would cater for welfare and entertainment, while sh300m was to pay electricity and sh100m for water bills.
State House would also spend sh286m on purchase of goods and services, while sh1.9b was for maintenance.
The MPs were stunned to learn that State House had spent sh149.3b in the last financial year having been allocated sh57.7b in the 2010/2011 budget.
On January 4, additional funding of sh79.1b was approved by parliament amid protests from members of the opposition who argued that the money would be diverted to fund President Yoweri Museveni’s campaigns.
The MPs argued that the sh18.6b approved to facilitate Museveni’s donations under the State House budget ahead of the general elections would swing votes in his favour.
The committee wondered why State House does not carry out proper planning and budgeting owing to the fact that sh530m was spent on staff training in May.
“How can you say that you did not foresee this training? Why should you get a supplementary for entertainment and welfare?†asked Rafael Magyezi (Igara West).
Lulume Bayiga (Buikwe South) noted that for the last two years, State House has been bringing as supplementary expenses items which should have been budgeted for under normal processes.
Simon Mulongo (Bubulo East) defended State House, arguing that due to the nature of the presidency, new issues come up from time to time.
PARLIAMENT on Monday declined to approve a supplementary budget request of sh14b for State House.
Members on the budget committee deferred the matter until State House comptroller Lucy Nakyobe appears before them to explain how the money was to be spent.
Finance state minister Jachan Omach had appeared before the committee to convince the MPs on the expenditure.
However, most of the members agreed that he was not competent enough to answer their queries. State House was represented by an accountant.
“Honourable chair, we need to save our energies for better things. The Minister of Finance is just forging and fidgeting with life. Let the substantial accounting officer appear before us,†argued Franca Akello (Agago county).
Rose Najjemba (Gomba) said the committee ought to listen to the comptroller defending her budget to enable them make informed decisions.
Of the sh14b requested, sh2b was for classified expenditure and sh1.6b for purchasing specialised machinery.
A total of sh3.9b was allocated for inland travel and another sh2.7b would fund the President’s travel abroad.
An additional sh400m would cater for welfare and entertainment, while sh300m was to pay electricity and sh100m for water bills.
State House would also spend sh286m on purchase of goods and services, while sh1.9b was for maintenance.
The MPs were stunned to learn that State House had spent sh149.3b in the last financial year having been allocated sh57.7b in the 2010/2011 budget.
On January 4, additional funding of sh79.1b was approved by parliament amid protests from members of the opposition who argued that the money would be diverted to fund President Yoweri Museveni’s campaigns.
The MPs argued that the sh18.6b approved to facilitate Museveni’s donations under the State House budget ahead of the general elections would swing votes in his favour.
The committee wondered why State House does not carry out proper planning and budgeting owing to the fact that sh530m was spent on staff training in May.
“How can you say that you did not foresee this training? Why should you get a supplementary for entertainment and welfare?†asked Rafael Magyezi (Igara West).
Lulume Bayiga (Buikwe South) noted that for the last two years, State House has been bringing as supplementary expenses items which should have been budgeted for under normal processes.
Simon Mulongo (Bubulo East) defended State House, arguing that due to the nature of the presidency, new issues come up from time to time.