By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Legislators on the Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee have kicked out three government officials, including the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, the Minister for Public Service, Muruli Mukasa, and the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka. This decision was prompted by their appearance before the committee without the necessary documents required for the rationalization of bills under its docket.
The action was taken after the MPs discovered that the certificate of financial implication issued by Ministry of Finance didn’t indicate the cost implication of abolishing or merging some agencies.
The concern was raised by Ibrahim Ssemujju (Kira Municipality) who pointed out that although section 76 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015, stipulates that a certificate of financial implication must include the revenue estimates any bill would have on the economy, but the certificates issued by the Ministry of Finance on rationalization bills didn’t indicate any cost implications, yet there will be need to compensate the affected staff.
Ssemujju Nganda was backed by Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality), and Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri County) who ruled that the certificate of financial implication presented to support the bills.
This compelled the committee to halt the consideration of all bills related to the rationalization of government agencies until the requirements as stated in Section 76 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015 are complied with.
Section 76 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015 says demands that every bill introduced in Parliament be accompanied by a certificate of financial implications issued by the Minister.
“The certificate of financial implications issued under subsection (1) shall indicate estimates of revenue and expenditure over the period of not less than two years after coming into effect of the bill when passed,” the law says.
It also requires that the certificate indicate the impact of the Bill on the economy.
Legally, a certificate of financial implication can only mature 60 days from the date of request.
Before kicking out the three ministers out of the committee, AG Kiwanuka said he would need to consult with the Ministry of Finance on the alleged inefficiency in the certificate of financial implications before returning to the committee.
