MUNI FAILS THE TEST! Report Flags Stalled Sh18bn Project, Low Research Output, Debts, Fees, Procurement Mess & Planning Failures
Muni University has come under intense scrutiny after the Auditor General uncovered a string of financial, procurement and management weaknesses despite issuing the institution with an unqualified audit opinion for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
The audit paints a picture of an institution grappling with unpaid debts, revenue shortfalls, procurement irregularities, delayed projects, idle assets and poor implementation of its strategic plan.
One of the most alarming findings is that the university accumulated domestic arrears amounting to UGX 904 million, contrary to the government’s commitment control system, raising concerns over its financial discipline and ability to meet obligations as they fall due.
The Auditor General also established that the university failed to meet its Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) targets. Out of the expected UGX 4.893 billion, only UGX 4.162 billion had been collected by the end of the financial year, leaving a UGX 731 million (13%) shortfall.
The report further notes that the university’s receivables increased by UGX 228 million (34%) during the year due to failure to enforce its fees payment policy, exposing weaknesses in revenue collection and debt recovery.
Procurement management also came under fire. The Auditor General found that three procurements worth UGX 308 million were undertaken without carrying out mandatory market surveys as required under procurement regulations.
Although the university had planned procurements worth UGX 7.443 billion during the financial year, contracts worth only UGX 6.373 billion were awarded, translating into an implementation rate of 85 percent.
The audit also identified procurement worth UGX 72 million that was conducted using the direct procurement method without justification, contrary to procurement regulations.
In another irregularity, the university shortlisted two bidders for procurements worth UGX 149 million even though they were neither on the university’s prequalified suppliers list nor on the PPDA list of approved suppliers.
Competition in procurement was equally weak. The Auditor General observed a low bidder turnout for five procurements valued at UGX 3.282 billion, a situation that may have limited value for money and competitiveness.
Implementation of development projects was also found wanting. Two contracts worth UGX 17.959 billion experienced delays ranging from one and a half months to as long as 56 months, raising concerns over project management and service delivery.
The university’s long-term planning also suffered major setbacks. While implementation of its five-year strategic plan was estimated to cost UGX 210.842 billion, only UGX 147.676 billion was released during the planning period, creating a funding gap of UGX 63.166 billion, equivalent to 30 percent of the required resources.
As a result, the institution was able to fully achieve only one out of the five planned strategic interventions, significantly affecting delivery of its development objectives.
The Auditor General further established that assets worth UGX 545 million were either idle or underutilized, denying the university full value from investments already made.
To make matters worse, the university did not have an approved asset management policy or documented procedures for monitoring the utilization of non-current assets, exposing public property to the risk of poor management and inefficient use.
The Auditor General also raised concerns over research productivity at Muni University, revealing that only 38 out of 107 staff members (36%) published research during the period under review. The finding points to low research output at the institution, despite research being one of the core mandates of a public university.
The findings are expected to attract scrutiny from Parliament’s accountability committees, which will require the university’s management to explain the financial and operational weaknesses and outline measures being taken to strengthen governance, improve revenue collection, tighten procurement processes and enhance implementation of strategic plans.
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