The Kabale District Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Michael Muramira Kyakashari, has faulted the Ministry of Finance over delays in releasing funds to the district, saying the delays have contributed to the return of unspent money to the treasury.
Kyakashari made the remarks on Wednesday during a half-day stakeholders’ dialogue on the Auditor General’s findings in Kabale District. The dialogue was organised by Kick Corruption Out of Uganda and held at Kirigime Guest House in Kabale Municipality.
The meeting aimed at strengthening public accountability and promoting action on audit recommendations for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The audit findings highlighted several challenges affecting local governments, which manage significant public resources intended to provide essential social services. These included weaknesses in internal controls, procurement oversight, local revenue collection and the implementation of audit recommendations.
The report indicated a budget shortfall of 1.4 billion shillings. It also showed that 900 million shillings in funds released through warrants remained unutilized, while more than 700 million shillings was returned to the treasury unspent due to delays in mid-year recruitment, affecting the appointment of new staff.
The Auditor General also faulted Kabale District for failing to recover 1.06 billion shillings in funds under the Youth Livelihood Programme and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP). The report reportedly indicated that only 2.5 per cent had been recovered during the 2024/2025 financial year.
Kyakashari said funds for the second quarter had only been released on Monday, arguing that such delays disrupt project implementation and continue to affect subsequent financial years.
CUE IN KYAKASHARI…ON AUDIT…ENG//
Meanwhile, Kabale District Council Speaker Flavia Kanagizi Nyinakiiza has expressed concern over the handling of reports from the District Public Accounts Committee, saying she has never received one during her time in office.
She was responding to concerns raised by the Executive Director of Kick Corruption Out of Uganda in his opening remarks. The director questioned whether district leaders were following up on audit findings and emphasized the importance of discussing District Public Accounts Committee reports as a way of fighting corruption.
CUE IN KAKURU….ON REPORTS….ENG//
Kanagizi attributed the increasing cases of corruption in Kabale District to the alleged failure to present such reports to the district council for scrutiny.
She also said the public should not rely on the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, alone to fight corruption, urging district leaders and other stakeholders to take responsibility if meaningful development is to be achieved.
CUE IN KANAGIZI….ON REPORTS….ENG//
