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Tayebwa commends Auditor General for comprehensive report as critical inefficiencies are exposed

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Tayebwa commends Auditor General for comprehensive report as critical inefficiencies are exposed
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With these details, we shall now be able to dig deeper when conducting our oversight role as an institution,” he said, adding that accountability committees will soon begin processing the report as mandated by law

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has praised the Auditor General, Edward Akol, for presenting a detailed and consolidated report that extends beyond financial audits to include value-for-money, special, and other assessments.

Tayebwa stated that the comprehensive nature of the report will significantly enhance Parliament’s oversight role.

“With these details, we shall now be able to dig deeper when conducting our oversight role as an institution,” he said, adding that accountability committees will soon begin processing the report as mandated by law.

In his presentation of the 2023/24 annual report, Akol highlighted inefficiencies in waste management, healthcare, and pensions, which require urgent government action.

The report revealed that cities and municipalities collected only 37% of the 4 million tonnes of garbage generated over the past three years. Cities handled just 34.4% of their waste, while municipalities managed 50%.

“Looking at solid waste management in our cities and municipalities, the numbers are concerning. This inefficiency poses a serious environmental and public health threat,” Akol noted.

The healthcare system is grappling with under-utilised facilities and a lack of trained personnel.

At Mulago National Referral Hospital, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is operating at just 56% capacity, with only 15 of 27 beds in use due to staff shortages.

“Critical equipment remains unutilized in several hospitals because of a lack of trained personnel to operate them. The health infrastructure department needs Shs20 billion annually for equipment maintenance but receives only Shs1.8 billion,” Akol revealed.

Akol also disclosed a rise in expired medical supplies, with the government writing off Shs316.65 billion worth of items, including COVID-19 vaccines and ARVs, compared to Shs33 billion the previous year.

“This represents a significant waste of resources that could have served other pressing healthcare needs,” he added.

The report warned of a looming pension crisis, projecting that taxpayers could spend over Shs4.5 trillion annually on pensions and gratuity by 2034 if reforms are not implemented.

Overpayments totalling Shs31.2 billion were uncovered, including Shs22.3 billion in excess gratuity to 1,502 pensioners and Shs8.9 billion in overpayments to 2,193 others.

“The sustainability of our pension system faces mounting pressure. I project a 12% annual increase in retirees over the next decade,” Akol cautioned.

Akol expressed concern over the low absorption of funds in the national budget. Despite revising the initial Shs52.7 trillion budget to Shs61.4 trillion for FY 2023/24, only Shs47 trillion was spent, leaving an unfunded gap of Shs7.1 trillion.

“This under utilisation affects service delivery and hinders the achievement of key development objectives,” he stated.

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