Improving accountability a must - Kiwanuka

By Vision Reporter

The challenge of service delivery in Uganda is not lack of sufficient financial resources, but the achievement of maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the utilization of limited resources, Finance Maria Kiwanuka has said.

“The challenges to service delivery include delayed implementation of Government projects, lack of adherence to financial management procedures, corruption and misappropriation of public resources. The main problem is not resources but more of managing the limited resources,” Kiwanuka said.

She reiterated government’s commitment to improving transparency and accountability in order to achieve enhanced service delivery.

Additional funding accordingly have been allocated to the various anti-corruption institutions such as the Office of the Auditor General, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Directorate, Directorate of Public Prosecution, Inspectorate of Government, Ethics and Integrity to enforce accountability and Accountant General’s Office to facilitate the rollout of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS).

The ministry of Finance has fully supported a Private Members Bill to seek further advancement to fight against Corruption. Other relevant Bills include: Anti-Money Laundering Bill which is aimed tracking funds gained from illicit activities and for enhancing global security.

The Public Finance Bill which explicitly seeks to ensure timely and accurate reporting of Government funds spent and to place individual responsibility on accounting officers for proper management of funds under their control is another tool.