From Allafrica · · 1m 10s
Uganda PAC Wants Members Cut, Barred From Sectoral Committees
Uganda's Public Accounts Committee demands half its members dropped to focus on audits.
In brief
Uganda's Public Accounts Committee demands half its members dropped to focus on audits. Uganda's Public Accounts Committee wants to cut membership by half and bar legislators from sectoral committees to improve audit scrutiny. Originally reported by Allafrica.
Uganda PAC Wants Membership Cut
Uganda's Public Accounts Committee wants its membership reduced by half and legislators barred from sectoral committees.
Current Membership Strains Work
Only 15 to 20 of 42 PAC members actively work, with many prioritizing sectoral committees.
Competing Assignments Undermine Audit
PAC members leave accountability work for sectoral committees during budget processes.
“When one is a member of PAC, but there is something going on in Finance, the member leaves you here, yet you are relying on them, but they also want to attend to Finance.”
Proposed Membership Reduction
Parliament would halve PAC Central, PAC Local Government, and COSASE membership to focus on audits.
Special Budget Needed for Accountability
Accountability committees need dedicated funding for field visits and report reviews.
Current Funding Disparity
Committees receive funding comparable to other committees despite handling larger report volumes.
“Oshabe cited an instance in which his committee sought five days to examine reports but was allocated only two days under Parliament's existing budget arrangements.”
Two-and-a-Half Year Membership Term
PAC members would serve for two and a half years before re-evaluation to address resignations or conflicts.
What to remember
Uganda's Public Accounts Committee wants to cut membership by half and bar legislators from sectoral committees to improve audit scrutiny.
