KAMPALA, UGANDA – Mubende District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Grania Nakazibwe has questioned Mbarara University officials over the implementation of government-funded activities after audit figures showed that 16 outputs worth approximately Shs2.4 billion were only partially implemented, while two others worth Shs100 million were not implemented at all.
Nakazibwe raised the concerns during the university officials’ appearance before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), where she scrutinised the institution’s expenditure and utilisation of Government Appropriation (GAU) warrants.
Presenting her concerns, Nakazibwe noted that out of the Shs65.033 billion in warrants available to the university, Shs64.681 billion had been spent, representing an absorption rate of 99.5 per cent, leaving only Shs352 million unspent.
However, she questioned how the institution could report such a high absorption rate while several planned outputs remained partially or completely unimplemented.
Referring to the audit report’s tables on output implementation, Nakazibwe observed that although 24 outputs valued at Shs9.2208 billion had been fully implemented, another 16 outputs worth Shs2.4 billion were only partially implemented.
She further pointed out that two outputs valued at Shs100 million had not been implemented at all, demanding an explanation from the Accounting Officer and the university’s management.
The legislator challenged the officials to account for the gap between the money spent and the actual work delivered, particularly given that the university had reported only Shs352 million in unspent funds.
“Could you please explain that?” Nakazibwe asked, emphasising that the magnitude of the work left incomplete appeared disproportionate to the amount of money reported as unspent.
During the exchange, a comment from the committee proceedings suggested that the institution had spent the money without completing the corresponding work, further highlighting the accountability concerns surrounding the reported outputs.
Nakazibwe’s questioning placed the spotlight on the need for public institutions to demonstrate not only high budget absorption rates but also tangible results from government expenditure.
The COSASE engagement formed part of Parliament’s scrutiny of Mbarara University’s financial accountability and implementation of planned activities.
