By Peter Ssebulime
Civil Society Organizations that include Transparency International Uganda and the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda, want ministries and government agencies to account for COVID-19 funds they have received during the period of the pandemic.
Speaking to the press at their offices in Ntinda on Thursday, the Executive Director of Transparency International Uganda, Peter Wandera, noted that they are aware that several ministries received COVID-19 funds but many haven’t publicly come out to provide accountability for the same.
“There has been public outcry for accountability for the COVID-19 funds and donations from various recipients of the funds. In our interventions such as talk-shows and press releases, wehave called upon the government to account for the COVID-19 funds and donations obtained since the outbreak of the pandemic,” Wandera said.
Wandera pointed out some government agencies that received COVID-19 funds such as the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Parliament of Uganda, the Uganda Prisons Services, Kampala Capital City Authority, and Uganda Police Force among others.
“We are aware that there are several ministries and government agencies that received COVID-19 funds. However, these have not come out publicly to provide accountability and we encourage them to follow the step made by the Ministry of Health to account to the public,” Wandera added.
He also applauded ministry of health for providing accountability for Shs264bn saying that this set an example for other ministries to do the same.
He also added that; “We are pleased that on Sunday June 21st, 2020, the Ministry of Health held an accountability briefing session where it provided an explanation for the Shs264Bn received from government as well as other sources.”
Cissy Kagaba, the Executive Director for Anti- Corruption Coalition Uganda, noted that such ministries should provide accountability not only at national level but also up to the lowest level through different platforms.
She also noted that it’s not too early to ask for accountability but they are fighting likely misuse of funds.
“The respective agencies and departments should provide regular and updated accountability not only at the national level, but also up to the lowest level through different platforms to cater for different categories of people in the country. The media, Civil Societies and citizens should in turn take keen interest in the accountability reports to monitor and verify any discrepancies,” Kagaba said.
