House stops UPE/USE inquiry

MPs yesterday unanimously voted to end with immediate effect, the mandate of the commission of inquiry into the mismanagement of funds under the universal education programmes.

The lawmakers also directed government to stop funding the five-man team, saying it had failed to deliver as expected.

Parliament further agreed that the Auditor General carries out a special investigation into the activities of the commission and that its accounts be immediately frozen.

Another of the recommendations was that Parliament’s Social Services Committee, which oversees the education sector, pursues the matter and makes a report for debate in two months.

Lengthy probe
The commission, appointed by President Museveni in 2009, failed to produce a report within the required six months, and neither have they given any accountability of the already used Shs6 billion.

The commission mandate, which was extended for the fourth time to August 14, more than two years from the initial completion date, has had its budget revised from Shs4.3 billion to Shs6.3 billion and now it wants more funds from Parliament.

Parliament’s recommendations come a few weeks after the Ministry of Education carried out an internal audit on the commission and its operations, finding that the funds given to the it are being misused.
The ministry report, dated January 20, indicated that although there were incidents where money has been used, no explanation was given to back the expenditure claims.

The Ministry discovered that fuel amounting to Shs10m, was drawn on a single day using different fuel cards to facilitate movements yet no clear journeys were made. The auditors also faulted the commission for hiring catering services to supply food to the commissioners more than what was used.

At yesterday’s session, Education Minister Jessica Alupo failed to explain the absence of accountability and the absence of any interim reports from the committee for the two and half years they have operated.

Finding herself in a tight corner, Ms Alupo said: “I am unable to provide a report on the substance of the commission’s work, nor comment on the adequacy of their work or the efficiency with which they have proceeded.”
Whereas President Museveni called the members of the commission ‘freedom fighters’, MPs yesterday referred to the commission as ‘useless, idle, redundant, sophiscated vampires and money guzzlers’.

“The committee is useless since they have chosen to do their work in perpetuity. It was a bad deal to have the commission,” said MP Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri)

Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nandala Mafabi said: “These commissioners should start preparing to go to Luzira (Prison), led by officials who have been recommending their extensions.”

The MPs said Dr Nassali Lukwago prior to her appointment to the commission was interdicted, and that Mr Lawrence Mukiibi, being a proprietor of private schools could have other interests, thus failure to make a report. “If we assume that Shs1b has so far been used, it means each of the commissioners has swallowed another Shs1b and such a commission is worse than Ebola,” said MP Xavier Kyooma (Ibanda).
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