Musasizi Urges Local Government Auditors to Track Public Spending in Uganda

Uganda's Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, has called on local government internal auditors to ensure public funds are being used effectively. Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Local Government Internal Auditors Association in Kabale district, Musasizi emphasized the need for auditors to detect irregularities such as ghost learners, payroll fraud, inflated contracts, and missing government assets. He stressed that every shilling lost through fraud, waste, inefficiency, or poor controls slows Uganda's progress towards prosperity.

Musasizi urged auditors to uphold professional and ethical standards and verify whether government programs are achieving their intended results. He also suggested that auditors use complaints raised at ongoing anti-corruption and accountability barazas to identify risks and prioritize their audit plans. This approach aims to enhance accountability and ensure that public funds are delivering the services they were meant to pay for. By doing so, auditors can help prevent corruption and promote transparency in local government.

The Acting Internal Auditor General, Hussein Isingoma, echoed Musasizi's sentiments, urging auditors to conduct site inspections of projects to verify that they meet the required standards and deliver value for money. Isingoma emphasized that site inspections would enable auditors to establish whether projects align with financial records and achieve their intended objectives. This recommendation aims to strengthen the audit process and promote accountability in project implementation.

Justus Musimenta, Chairperson of the Local Government Internal Auditors Association, called for stronger audit units and increased staffing. He noted that some districts have only one or two internal auditors responsible for monitoring multiple government programs, which can compromise effective oversight. Musimenta's remarks highlight the need for adequate resources and capacity to ensure effective internal auditing in local governments.

The annual general meeting was held under the theme "Strengthening Local Government Internal Audit for Accountability, Value for Money and Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation." This theme underscores the importance of internal auditing in promoting accountability, ensuring value for money, and driving socio-economic transformation in Uganda. The meeting brought together stakeholders to discuss ways to enhance internal auditing and address challenges facing local governments.

Key stakeholders, including local government officials, auditors, and association members, attended the meeting. They discussed strategies to strengthen internal auditing, address capacity gaps, and promote collaboration among stakeholders. The meeting also provided a platform for participants to share experiences, best practices, and lessons learned in internal auditing.

The renewed focus on internal auditing in Uganda aims to promote transparency, accountability, and effective use of public funds. By strengthening internal auditing, Uganda can enhance its governance framework, improve service delivery, and drive sustainable socio-economic transformation. The government's commitment to accountability and transparency is reflected in initiatives like the annual general meeting of the Local Government Internal Auditors Association.

Key points

• Musasizi urges local government auditors to detect irregularities such as ghost learners, payroll fraud, and inflated contracts.