PAC Grills Finance Ministry Over Shs8.4tn Arrears, Rising Public Debt

By | March 11, 2026

Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is expected to meet officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development this morning as legislators seek answers on several accountability concerns raised in the December 2025 report of the Office of the Auditor General.

The meeting will be led by the Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, who is expected to respond to queries regarding government financial management, including the growing domestic arrears and the rising public debt burden.

According to the Auditor General’s report, government has accumulated domestic arrears amounting to about Shs8.4 trillion owed to various businesses that supplied goods and services but have not yet been paid.

Members of the Public Accounts Committee are expected to question the Finance Ministry on why the arrears continue to grow and what measures are being taken to clear the outstanding obligations.

Lawmakers are also set to demand explanations over the country’s increasing public debt. The report shows that Uganda’s total public debt rose from Shs69.20 trillion in June 2021 to Shs115.403 trillion by June 2025—an increase of about 66.76 percent over the five-year period.

The sharp rise has raised concerns among legislators about debt sustainability and the government’s borrowing strategy, particularly at a time when the country is also struggling to meet domestic payment obligations.

Committee members are further expected to seek clarification from Ggoobi over the decision by the Finance Ministry to onboard 149 new projects valued at Shs19.584 trillion. This comes despite several government-funded projects already facing delays in implementation.

MPs say the move raises questions about project planning, prioritization and the government’s capacity to effectively implement and complete ongoing investments before committing to additional spending.

The session is expected to provide insight into how the Finance Ministry plans to address the mounting arrears, manage the country’s debt levels and ensure improved efficiency in public investment management.

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