Kyambogo University students protest

THIS week continued being bad for district accounting officers, as accountability dominated proceedings before the most active committees, public accounts committee, and local government accounts. Missing vouchers, un-recovered advances, unreceipted expenditures and missing balances were some of the most dominant cases. Cash books and bank statements went missing, as chief administrative officers and their finance officers fidgeted to make their case(s) before the two uncompromising committees.

CAOs fail to account for teachers' sh1b
Teachers earn little money and no one would expect anybody to misappropriate their salaries. But MPs on the public accounts committee on Tuesday were shocked to learn that over sh1b meant for teachers’ salary arrears was misappropriated. Six chief administrative officers had a rough time accounting for sh1.1b from the finance ministry to their districts in 2004 for teachers’ salaries. Of the six, only Olive Nakyanzi of Kalangala accounted for sh13m. Appearing to answer queries raised in the Auditor General’s report of 2003/2004 financial year, chiefs from Adjuman, Apac, Hoima and Kampala’s Ruth Kijjambu could not produce payment vouchers, bank statements and cash books, used during the period that was under review.

IHK’S Dr. Ian Clarke cited in sh50m loss
International Hospital director Dr Ian Clarke and Katikamu North MP, Abraham Byandala, were mentioned in a sh50m loss to Kampala City Council. The council’s town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu, told MPs on the Public Accounts Committee that Byandala received sh35m while Clarke received sh15m for cleaning the city, which they never did.

Kyambogo students camp at Parliament
Disgusted with delayed re-opening of Kyambogo University, the students’ leaders on Wednesday camped at Parliament, protesting the continued closure of the university. Led by the Guild President William Kayongo, the students vowed to stay there until they meet President Yoweri Museveni.

Carrying placards, the students camped at CHOGM-Engineers’ Park near Parliament but were later dispersed by the Police on grounds that they had no permission from the Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura. “There are procedures to follow if they want to protest or demonstrate. Doing it at Parliament will attract attention,” a Parliamentary Police source said.

Kyambogo lecturers ordered to produce appointment letters
The Social Service Committee this week ordered Kyambogo University Academic Staff Association to tender a full list of lecturers at the university. The committee chairman, James Kubeketerya (NRM), also asked the association, led by Victor Locoro, to submit their appointment letters as soon as possible to help the committee understand their terms of reference.

“We need to look at your appointment letters to be in position to know what you agreed on with the university, before you resume work,” Kubeketerya said. The university was closed early last month following strikes by the academic staff and students.
The academic staff, who protested against tampering with their salaries, had come to brief the committee on when the university would open.

They also said that the failure by the university to procure some teaching materials was another problem which forced them to lay down tools. “We have some practical lessons at the university but have no materials. In such a situation, what can we do?” Locoro asked.

MPs exchange words
The MPs on the Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday almost exchanged blows over the chairman’s decision to summon the former state minister for Justice, Adolf Mwesige, to explain sh2.9b paid to the lawyers the state hired in the treason case against Dr Kizza Besigye and 22 others since 2005. Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Amos Ngolobe had said the lawyers were negotiated by Mwesigye since they (DPP’s office) had no experience in a case of that nature. NRM MPs Frank Tumwebaze, Winnie Masiko, Margaret Kiboijana and William Nsubuga opposed the proposal, while opposition MPs SSebuliba Mutumba (DP) Oduman Okello (FDC) and Simon Euku (UPC) insisted that the minister should appear.

Education ministry seek sh 119b
The Ministry of Education is seeking $70m (about sh119b) from the African Development Bank to rehabilitate dilapidated schools. State education minister Gabriel Opio presented the request to the national economy committee, chaired by Ibrahim Kadunabi Lubega, on Wednesday. The money will be used to construct new dormitories, classes and laboratories. The schools include; Nabisunsa Girls, Gombe SS, Masaka SS, Dr. Obote College and Sacred Heart, Gulu.