ICT Fails to Account for Sh3b
Uganda's ICT Minister Ruhakana Rugunda
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has failed to account for sh3.5b tax payers’ money.
The Permanent Secretary of ICT, Dr. Jimmy Saamanya was asked by the Parliament Public Accounts Committee to explain why he authorized payment of sh750m for renting offices on Social Security House, Jinja road in 2010 but did not occupy them.
The report by the Auditor General dated 2010-2011 showed that the money, sh3.5b, was spent but there is no clear way to show how it was actually spent. The AG’s report went on to show that sh750m was paid for rental premises for the 12 months running from August 2010 to August 2011 but instead, the ministry used the rented space for only six months.
“Why did you hurry to pay for the rent which the ministry never used for six months,” committee chairperson Paul Mwiru demanded.
The AG report also queried sh60m found on the ICT ministry’s account, but was not remitted to the consolidated fund. “If the money was not utilized by the ministry, why did you delay to remit it to the consolidated fund?” Vincent Kyamadidi asked.
The report further queried sh24m deducted from the workers, but also was not remitted to National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as the law requires.
The MPs also queried sh78m paid for electricity bills, but lacked receipts. “We suspect fraud in this transaction. You don’t have power bills, why do you pay for electricity which the ministry never consumed?” Alex Byarugaba asked.
It was also revealed that sh51m allowances paid to ministry staff lacked signatures showing accountability. The money was paid to the workers when Uganda hosted the African Union Summit in 2010.
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All ministries are similar to the OPM. Let all be investigated and crucified finally. We must clean those offices. When I was in UPM in 1980, our motto was “Clean Leadership, Unity and peace”. NRM should get this from the archives of its mother.
Mr Kalan, I agree with you. All these corrupt ministers should be crucified. Unfortunately, the whole system is rotten from top. Last week we had a meeting with some of the donor NGOs here in London and I was ashamed when they mentioned that Uganda too corrupt from the top leadership. I agreed with them basing on the naked evidence from the OPM reports which are circulating in the World media.
The only solution is to kick the whole system out of power and install a new genuine government. What we are seeing today in Uganda are the effects of presidents overstaying in power. There is nothing new that a president can offer to Ugandans 26 years now down the road. All Ugandans should rise up and advocate for total fundamental change.
Another patriotic Mukiga with his hands in the National purse!!! when will this end???
Why is this selective prosecution? Let all the ministries be investigated!!!
The govt should give him Rugunda more time to prepare and account for the 3bn.
Not all that Glitters is Gold… Rugunda u have been clean but because u too do not want to leave public life, stains to your reputations are showing up everyday… National Bank of commerce where your 3 members are doing injustice to the other members, now lack of accountability at your ministry……..quit this thing n kip your legacy…DR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ndugu Rugunda,don’t allow sychophants to spoil your ICT Ministry. You are a respected Diplomat,after having spent a good period at UN as Uganda’s representative, you must have known how to fight corruption in Uganda,(Though you never went for Anti-Corruption Training at Un Headquarters). Don’t let this corruption devil in your ministry.