By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Kalungu West County legislator Joseph Ssewungu has castigated government over failure to account for the delayed disbursement of capitation grants to schools, with parliament highlighting that these funds often arrive after the schools have already closed.
According to Ssewungu, the Ministry of Finance has consistently failed to provide capitation grants on time, despite Parliament’s recommendation that schools should receive the funds 15 days prior to the start of a new school term.
“Government allocates Shs3,000 per student per term, with each term lasting 92 days, yet you fail to release these funds in time. When money is sent after two months into the term, teachers can’t even afford basic supplies like chalk and pens to support teaching,” Ssewungu said.
He further noted that the inability of schools to prepare effectively for the term has resulted in students not attending classes, especially those in examination years.
“We have urged parents to send their children to school, but there’s nothing for them to do there. They’re being sent to cut grass, and this is an issue that the Minister of Finance must address,” Ssewungu emphasized.
He raised these concerns while presenting a matter of national importance during the plenary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Tuesday, 17 September 2024.
The State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, pledged to return to Parliament with detailed figures on the budgeted and released capitation grants thus far. He also committed to outlining the ministry’s financial release plan for the upcoming quarter.
“The issue raised by Hon. Ssewungu is indeed a matter of national importance, but the way he presents it implies that the government is doing nothing, which is not the case. I will return tomorrow [Wednesday] with the relevant data,” Musasizi stated.
Meanwhile, workers’ Representative, Hon. Margaret Rwabushaija, called for a committee to investigate the non-payment of part-time teaching staff at Kyambogo University. She revealed that the university has a Shs5.6 billion shortfall in salary arrears.
“The Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering is owed up to 16 months of salary arrears. Instead of addressing the claims of these part-time lecturers, the Human Resource Department chose to dismiss them,” Rwabushaija added.
She referred to a 2023 incident when part-time lecturers at the same university threatened to stop working by refusing to set examinations, highlighting the workforce gaps and the urgent need for appropriate compensation.
Tayebwa instructed the State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, to present a statement at the next parliamentary session.
