Local government internal auditors tipped on professionalism

The Ministry of Public Service Permanent Secretary, Catherine Bitarakwate has challenged local government internal auditors on professionalism.

Presiding over as the chief guest at the annual local government internal auditors association general meeting held in Hoima,  Bitarakwate said she was concerned with the continued existence of queries in  local government procurements and  payments  despite the presence of internal auditors .

"We need to up our roles, every time in the auditor general's reports, there are issues to do with procurement queries, underemployment over employment, among other issues. What  is your role as internal auditors? We need to work hard and improve the image of the local government by using  the available resources," Bitarakwate said.

She noted that government understands the challenges internal auditors go through but they should hold their ethical and integrity at the highest.

"Money has always been an issue with internal auditing, but can we use the available little resources to serve within our best."

Hussein Isingoma, the commissioner internal audit from the auditor general's office said the biggest problem is limited staff and funding.

"It is very evident in Uganda that you find the entire district being manned by one person in the audit office. They  are not computers. It is important that we recruit more staff so that work moves on well because with auditing it is from one person to another to ensure efficiency but then if it is one person, errors will be high but also productivity will be low," he said

Justus Musimenta the chairperson for Local government internal auditors association highlighted the need for further training for the auditor especially with information communication technology.

"The world and workplace is moving so fast with information and communication technology. It  is here that I implore government to make it a point to train these auditors especially with the latest technology .Even when there is limited staff, the few available can deliver using advanced technology," Musimenta appealed.

The local government internal auditors association  meeting was attended by auditors from all districts of Uganda with focus on addressing challenges they face and finding solutions to improve service delivery at the local government level, but also appeal to the government for training and capacity building.