Ministry Under Fire for Supplying Malnourished Goats at Exorbitant Prices
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries is facing harsh criticism following the revelation that they procured malnourished goats at an inflated price. Officials appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament yesterday to answer concerns raised in the Auditor General's report.
During the hearing, ministry officials, led by Permanent Secretary Maj. General David Kasura Kyomukama, defended their actions regarding resource allocation for the 2022/2023 financial year. However, the Auditor General's report painted a concerning picture of the 15 billion shilling goat distribution project, which was intended for implementation in seven districts.
Legislators expressed outrage upon learning that the project, which involved supplying indigenous goats to Gomba and Nakasongola districts, experienced significant mortality rates. Dr. Steven Kajura, the project coordinator, was placed under oath and handed over to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) for further investigation.
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Facing mounting pressure, ministry officials were questioned about the procurement process involving Ssembeguya Estate Uganda Limited, the company tasked with supplying the malnourished goats. The revelation that 71 Senan goats were procured at an exorbitant cost of 7.4 million shillings each sparked a heated debate within the committee, with members labelling it the "scam of the year."
