Members of Parliament (MPs) sitting on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have dismissed officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, led by Permanent Secretary Kedrace Turyagyenda, for failing to account for funds allocated to the Vocational Education Project. The officials were unable to provide satisfactory answers to queries raised by the Auditor General regarding the mismanagement of project funds.
Failure to Account for Funds
During the committee hearing, Kedrace Turyagyenda, the current Permanent Secretary, was unable to address the Auditor General’s queries, citing that she was not in office during the period under review. She also failed to trace her predecessor, Ketty Lamaro, who oversaw the project during its initial phases. This lack of accountability frustrated the committee members, who demanded clear explanations for the discrepancies in the project’s financial records.
Details of the Vocational Education Project
The 14.3 million USD Vocational Education Project, which is being implemented in eight districts, including Amuria, Hoima, Kamuli, Masaka Lwengo, and Nakasongola, began on July 3, 2017, and is expected to conclude by December 31, 2025. The project aims to enhance vocational training and skills development in the targeted regions.
Under the project, the Ugandan government is obligated to provide 2.4 million USD as counter funding. However, officials failed to explain how they ended up utilizing more local funds than the donor contributions. According to the Auditor General’s report:
Donor Funding: Out of the expected 53.66 billion UGX, 26.5 billion UGX was disbursed, while 27.1 billion UGX remained undisbursed.
Government Funding: Out of the expected 43.04 billion UGX, 30.66 billion UGX was disbursed, and 12.37 billion UGX remained undisbursed.
The MPs expressed disbelief at the mismanagement of funds and the lack of transparency in the project’s financial operations.
Officials Request More Time
In response to the committee’s scrutiny, the Ministry of Education team, led by Project Coordinator Norman Ajiri and Permanent Secretary Kedrace Turyagyenda, requested more time to prepare a detailed report. They promised to return with comprehensive explanations and documentation to address the committee’s concerns.
MPs Criticize Lack of Accountability
Goreth Namugga, the Vice Chairperson of the Committee and MP for Mawogola County, criticized the Ministry of Education officials for their poor handling of the project’s finances. She described their accountability as “ugly” and emphasized the need for transparency and proper management of public funds.
Joseph Gonzaga Sewungu, the Shadow Minister for Education and MP for Kalungu West, raised specific concerns about the Masaka Lwengo project. He questioned the progress and utilization of funds in this region, highlighting the need for closer monitoring and evaluation of the project’s implementation.
Conclusion
The dismissal of the Ministry of Education officials by the Public Accounts Committee underscores the ongoing challenges in managing public funds and ensuring accountability in government projects. The committee has given the officials time to prepare a detailed report, but the MPs remain vigilant in their oversight role to ensure that public resources are used effectively and transparently.
The Vocational Education Project is critical for equipping Ugandans with practical skills and improving their employability. However, the mismanagement of funds threatens to derail its objectives, leaving beneficiaries in the targeted districts at risk of losing out on valuable opportunities.
