MPs want tough restrictions on supplementary budgets

Members of Parliament have called for tight restrictions on supplementary budgets by government ministries, agencies and departments.

The legislators expressed discontent in the frequency of supplementary budgets which they say have become a norm.

The MPs grilled officials from the ministry of Finance over the matter during a workshop in Mbale.

The workshop organized by ministry of Finance was meant to update members of oversight committees of parliament on the developments in public finance management.

The minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija expressed concern over the high level of corruption and diversion of public funds adding that it denies citizens from getting the required services.

He urged the MPs to make possible recommendations towards enhancing public finance management.

Bernard Atiku the Ayivu County MP said government departments and agencies need to put a lid on supplementary budgets.

"We look ugly, and it's a big shame. And every financial year the figure keeps on doubling. When some one comes to examine us right from ministry of Finance to parliament, we are like a gangster group which is just there to fleece the public," Atiku said.

The furious legislators questioned the competence of ministry of Finance officials whom they blamed for failing to do their job.

They also expressed suspicion about possible influence of an external invisible hand and sinister motives by technical staff.

"This is not pure math where you start with a total and then work towards the answer. If you are budgeting, start with activities and programmes, cost them and justify them, then come up with the figures. You don't start with the figure then you tell people to work," said Kachumbala County MP, Patrick Opolot Isiagi.

Ntenjeru North MP, Amos Lugoloobi, noted that parliament will reject supplementary budgets that do not meet the set guidelines.

Lugoloobi further noted that parliament is bogged down into examining supplementary budgets amidst a pile of pending issues.

The MPs further punched holes in the public finance management practices, accusing technocrats in the ministry of Finance for playing cat and mouse games during appropriation, budgeting and accountability.