By Frank Kamuntu
Speaker Anita Among has instructed Finance Minister Matia Kasaija to provide Parliament with an explanation regarding Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) staff bonuses amounting to UGX 14.6 billion. The bonuses were distributed without parliamentary approval, exceeding the UGX 11.638 billion initially requested by URA after surpassing revenue targets.
The directive was issued during a plenary session following the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) presentation of the Auditor General’s report on Treasury operations and the consolidated financial statement for June 2023. The report revealed that the bonus payments bypassed the required approval process, resulting in an unauthorized increase.
Among emphasized the need for detailed financial information from the Ministry of Finance before the National Budget Framework Paper (BFP) is considered. “We need to understand the figures before we proceed with the BFP. I expect a response from the Ministry of Finance by October 24, 2024,” she stated.
PAC Chairperson, Muwanga Kivumbi, informed Parliament that URA had initially requested UGX 11.638 billion as bonuses for surpassing revenue targets in the 2021-2022 fiscal year. However, without parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Finance permitted URA to retain UGX 14.676 billion, resulting in an irregular payment.
“The Ministry of Finance must seek parliamentary approval for any supplementary expenditure,” Kivumbi said, adding that the executive’s disregard for parliamentary procedures was growing, particularly concerning the Ministry of Finance. He emphasized that this amounted to contempt of Parliament.
Bwamba County MP Richard Muhumuza questioned the discrepancy, asking, “URA requested UGX 11 billion, but the Minister allowed UGX 14.6 billion. Where did the extra UGX 3 billion come from?”
In response, Kivumbi clarified that the bonus payment was unauthorized due to URA’s failure to request a supplementary budget. The Speaker reiterated that the Ministry of Finance must explain the discrepancy.
Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua requested 21 days for the government to respond to the report, but the Speaker reduced the timeframe to one week.
Obua committed to conveying Parliament’s directive to the Ministry of Finance and ensuring a response by October 24.
