MPs demand answers over expenditure beyond the approved budget and a Shs7.5 million charge as officials are ordered to return with supporting documents
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has demanded an explanation from the Ministry of Local Government over Shs1 billion spent beyond its approved budget, questioning the source and use of the additional funds.
The committee raised the concern while scrutinising the Auditor General’s Report for the 2024/2025 financial year, which showed that the ministry received Shs12 billion but spent Shs13 billion.
The discrepancy prompted MPs to demand an explanation of where the additional Shs1 billion came from and why the ministry incurred expenditure beyond its approved allocation.
MPs question Shs7.5 million charge
The committee also questioned a Shs7.5 million charge incurred while transferring Shs56 million in non-tax revenue to the Consolidated Fund.
MPs sought clarification on the nature of the charge and the circumstances under which it was incurred, adding to concerns over the ministry’s financial management.
The officials were expected to provide explanations and supporting documentation for the transactions flagged by the Auditor General.
PS asks for more time
Ministry Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya told the committee that the official most familiar with the financial figures was away on leave.
Kumumanya consequently requested more time to prepare adequate responses to the audit queries.
The explanation did not satisfy the committee, which dismissed the officials from the session and directed them to return on another date with satisfactory explanations and supporting evidence.
COSASE probes missing assets
Separately, the Committee on Public Accounts—Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), chaired by Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, directed the Local Government Finance Commission to account for action taken on audit queries raised by the Auditor General for the audit period ended December 2025.
The committee tasked the Commission, led by its Secretary Adam Babale, to provide documentary evidence showing that an asset management policy had been instituted to guide the utilisation and management of non-current assets.
The demand followed an Auditor General’s finding that the Commission had weaknesses in the management and recording of its assets.
Five vehicle logbooks missing
The committee also questioned the disappearance of five motor vehicle logbooks and other items that were reportedly missing from the Commission’s asset register at the time of the audit.
COSASE demanded supporting documentation to establish what action had been taken to account for the missing assets and address the audit findings.
The proceedings reflect Parliament’s continued scrutiny of government entities over expenditure, asset management and compliance with recommendations arising from the Auditor General’s audits.
For the Ministry of Local Government, the committee’s demand is centred on a straightforward question: how and why was Shs13 billion spent when only Shs12 billion had been reported as received?
