KAMPALA – Wakiso District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Betty Ethel Naluyima, has challenged hospital officials to provide a clear, step-by-step account of public funds, questioning discrepancies in financial records and delays in the procurement of essential medical equipment.
Naluyima raised the concerns while appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where legislators were scrutinising financial statements and the management of funds at a government hospital.
She questioned the manner in which hospital officials were responding to audit queries, noting that the institution had previously interacted with external auditors and was expected to be adequately prepared to explain the issues raised in the reports.
The legislator expressed concern over what she described as casual responses from officials, particularly when committee members sought explanations regarding Shs562 million in unspent wage funds and approximately Shs568 million relating to plant and equipment.
She further questioned whether the hospital had adequately involved relevant government institutions, including the Solicitor General, Auditor General and other responsible ministries, in handling procurement processes and resolving contractual challenges.
Naluyima emphasised that delays in procuring essential medical facilities, including an ambulance meant to transport medical personnel and support healthcare services, could have serious consequences for patients whose lives depend on timely medical attention.
She asked hospital management to explain the measures in place to address procurement challenges, particularly where contracts had been cleared and signed but suppliers failed to fulfil their obligations.
In response, an accounting official explained that different procurement processes require clearance and involvement from relevant government ministries. For instance, vehicle procurement involves the Ministry of Works, while medical equipment requires the involvement of the Ministry of Health.
The official added that although obtaining local clearances, including from the Solicitor General, could be managed through direct engagement, the biggest challenges often emerged after contracts had been signed, when some suppliers failed to meet their delivery obligations.
On the returned funds, another official acknowledged an error in the financial reporting, describing it as a possible transposition error, and explained that some funds under plant, property and equipment had not been fully utilised.
The official further disclosed that the hospital had returned approximately Shs569.95 million, largely comprising Shs562 million in wage allocations, alongside other amounts from different expenditure categories.
However, Naluyima insisted that the committee needed a more detailed explanation rather than general figures, asking the accounting officer to take members through the financial statements page by page to establish where the money had been allocated, spent or returned.
She argued that such a presentation would enable legislators to follow the figures, verify the explanations and gain confidence in the institution’s financial accountability.
Her intervention underscored Parliament’s oversight responsibility in ensuring that public funds allocated to government health facilities are properly accounted for and that procurement delays do not compromise the delivery of essential healthcare services.
