Auditor General, Sabiiti testify as UNRA investigation starts

Kampala.
The commission of inquiry into the alleged mismanagement of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) yesterday opened with the Auditor General (AG) and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) presenting reports with audit and procurement queries from 2009 to date.

Auditor General John Muwanga mentioned roads with queries as Hoima-Butiaba road, Kaiso-Tonya road, Mubende - Kakumiro Road, Kauma- Pakwach road and Kanoni - Sembabule road.
Mr Muwanga observed that contractors are overstretched, leading to variations in roadworks and prices for the contracts.

“…From 2009 to date, there were a number of issues raised, including lack of a strategic plan for UNRA, shortage of qualified staff, inadequate follow-up of audit issues raised, project implementation issues, lack of due diligence, inter-project borrowing and theft of authority funds,” he said.

He added: “It is surprising to find that an international contract being advertised locally while some of the expenditures were nugatory, some roads are characterised with substandard works and how land titles are transferred to government…….”

PPDA executive director Cornelia Sabiiti said the reports arose out of investigations into the complaints and procurement audits in connection with supply of road equipment.

Eng Michael Odongo, the executive director of the Uganda Road Fund, also presented reports on technical and financial audits from 2010 to 2012 and said another special audit is ongoing.

The chairperson of the committee, Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, said their work is to ensure value for money in UNRA. Works minister John Byabagambi appealed to the public to appreciate the commission and its work.

“This commission is neither witch hunting nor victimising anybody but to streamline activities at UNRA.” “UNRA had done a good job but it would have done more if the systems were good,” Mr Byabagambi added.

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