Twenty local government accounting officers (Chief Administrative Officers) are in panic and will have to look for jobs elsewhere after being sacked by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury, Keith Muhakanizi, on grounds that they failed to account for public resources.
Muhakanizi made the revelation in a letter to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya who had written a letter on May 14, 2018 submitting a list of officers for appointment as Accounting Officers for Local Government Votes in financial year 2018/19.
“In accordance to Section 11 subsection 2 (g) of the Public Finance Management Act (2015), some of the officers referred to in your letter above, are not eligible for appointment as Local Government Accounting Officers for FY2018/19,” Muhakanizi wrote to his counterpart in a letter dated May 24,2018.
The cited section says: “The Secretary to the Treasury shall appoint or designate accounting officers in accordance with this Act, except that the Secretary to the Treasury shall not appoint or designate a person an accounting officer where, according to the report of an Internal Auditor or the Auditor General, that person has not accounted for the public resources or assets of the vote for a financial year.”
The Act requires that all government accounting officers submit the budget performance reports and Budget Framework Papers to the Ministry of Finance by specific dates.
Budget performance reports for the first and second quarters are supposed to be submitted by October 31 of every year while Budget Framework papers are submitted by every January 31.
Muhakanizi instead has advised his colleague Kumumanya that should the status of the sacked employees remain as of May 24, he will be required to nominate other officers to replace them.
Muhakanizi in a letter he wrote On March 16, 2018, The Ministry of Finance directed the Local Government ministry to sack 61 district chief administrative officers (CAOs) and municipal council Town Clerks for failing to submit accountability for budget funds as required by the law.
They included:
Christopher Okumu- Masindi
Peter Matsiko – Kisoro Mun. Council
Ishmail Ochengel – Arua
Milton Kato- Gulu
David Kawooya – Iganga
William Kanyesigye- Jinja
Danstan Balaba – Kabarole
Ben Paul Otim Ogwete- Kamuli
Simon Peter Kandole- Kapchorwa
Mathias Ndifuna- Kasese
Eria Magumba- Katakwi
Sarah Nakalungi- Kiboga
Sulaiman Kasozi- Kisoro
Joseph Lomongin- Kitgum
Anthony Martin Lukwago- Masaka
Isa Mbooge-Serere
Bernard Ojwang-Mitooma
Stephen Oloya-Napak
Innocent Birekeyaho-Nwoya
Eria Magumba-Kole
Agago Peter Mulondo-Agago.
Michael Wanje-Kween
Chelimo Alex- Moyo
Francis Amulen- Mpigi
Aloysius Aloka- Nakapiripirit
Geoffrey Okaka- Nebbi
Ssebunya Denis- Pader
Alex Kwizera-Rakai
Joseph Balisanyuka- Soroti
David Lubuuka-Yumbe
Donath Eswilu-Isingiro
Mukasa Kizito-Kaliro
Pius Epaju-Amolatar
Abdu Batambuze –Budaka
Dorothy Ajwang Magoola-Oyam
George William-Dokolo
John M. Behangana-Makindye Mun Counicl
Peter Masiko –Kisoro Mun Council
Joseph Ssebudde –Mityana Mun Council
Stephen Lokope-Kitgum Mun Council
Ronald Ross Baganzi-Kamuli Mun Council
Moses Lorika-Nebbi Mun Council
Ayub Kisubi-Bugiri Municipal Council
Godfrey O. Ogwang-Pakwach
Hanny Turyaheebwa-Rukiga
Edith Mutabazi-Nakaseke
Martin Kiplangat-Amuru
Martin Kisule-Maracha
Francis Opolot-Buyende
Patrick Olila-Lamwo
David W Wamburu-Kiryandongo
Henery Makumbi-Luuka
Esau Ekachelan-Namayingo
Kasajja Kairu-Arua Mun. Council
Deo Ndimo- Fort Portal Mun. Council
Francis Barabanawe-Gulu Mun. Council
Swaibu Balaba-Moroto Mun. Council
Leonard Tumusiime-Masindi Mun. Council
Lillian Kobusingye-Rukungiri Mun. Council
John Bosco Akera –Omoro
