Finance releases Shs2.9 trillion to ministries

Money issues. Health ministry permanent secretary Diana Atwine (left) and Finance ministry permanent secretary Keith Muhakanizi at a press conference during the release of the funds in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY STEPHEN WANDERA

What you need to know:

  • Launched. Meanwhile, the Finance ministry has launched the On-Line National Social Services Delivery Equity Atlas, a collaborative effort between Unicef and Economic Policy Research Centre.
  • Resource delivery. The Unicef representative in Uganda, Dr Doreen Mulenga, said the atlas is an innovation in Uganda’s Public Financial Management that will help ensure that public resources are delivered in an efficient manner, and achieve maximum impact.

Kampala. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has released Shs2.986 trillion for Quarter Three expenditure and asked Ministries, Departments and Agencies to exercise “maximum accountability” for budget audit purposes.

Speaking during the release of the funds yesterday, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, the Secretary to the Treasury, said: “The cumulative release for Quarter One to Quarter Three totals to Shs9.7 trillion, which is 78.80 per cent of the approved government of Uganda Budget.”

Emphasising accountability, Mr Muhakanizi said: “All accounting officers must ensure that they pay wages, salaries, pension and gratuity by 28th of every month, accounting officers must prioritise payment of service providers on time and avoid accumulation of arrears.”

He added: “Accounting officers should display the pay rolls for salaries and monthly pension on government notice boards every month… accounting officers must ensure timely submission of performance of reports and accountability among, other requirements”.

Mr Muhakanizi explained that Shs897.4b was released to cater for wages and salaries, Shs76.7b for pension and Shs38.598b for gratuity payments. Shs504.671b has been provided to the Uganda National Roads Authority, and Shs41.828b to the National Medical Stores for purchase of drugs. Naads received Shs103.183b and Coffee Development Authority was given Shs8.937b to cater for the planting season.

The permanent secretary in the ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, called for stronger coordination between the Office of the Prime Minister, ministry of Finance and Local Governments as the country executes programmed-based budgeting.

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Launched. Meanwhile, the Finance ministry has launched the On-Line National Social Services Delivery Equity Atlas, a collaborative effort between Unicef and Economic Policy Research Centre.
Resource delivery. The Unicef representative in Uganda, Dr Doreen Mulenga, said the atlas is an innovation in Uganda’s Public Financial Management that will help ensure that public resources are delivered in an efficient manner, and achieve maximum impact.

“While Uganda has made considerable progress in improving the well-being of its population, the analysis that is visually presented in this on-line atlas gives us a clear picture of where public resources are reducing socio-economic inequalities among children’s lives and where they are not,” she said.