Ministry of Public Service officials were sent away by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday after failing to appear with Permanent Secretary Catherine Bitarakwate, the substantive accounting officer.
For the second time, the Committee insisted that accountability rests with the office holder, rejecting Undersecretary Roger Irumba’s claim that he had been delegated to attend in Bitarakwate’s place while she attended a cabinet meeting at State House.
“Accountability is tied to the office holder,” said MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi. “You can't just send someone without a proper delegation letter addressed to the Committee Chair.”
The absence of a formal delegation letter sparked a heated debate, prompting PAC Chairperson Gorreth Namugga to adjourn the meeting for 30 minutes to allow the letter to be produced.
When presented, the document was deemed insufficient, as it was an internal memo not formally addressed to the Committee Chair.
“The Permanent Secretary is becoming defiant,” Namugga said. “We insist that she appears in person. Accountability is not a joke.”
The officials were directed to return on Tuesday at 4 pm with Bitarakwate herself, as the Committee reiterated its stance on proper accountability.
“We won't tolerate this kind of disrespect,” Nandala Mafabi emphasized.
The Ministry of Public Service now faces pressure to explain the absence and ensure the Permanent Secretary attends the next hearing.