Govt needs to be accountable
EditorialFeb 22, 2005
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President
Yoweri Museveni has pledged Shs1 billion as a revolving fund to
controversial Kalangala Action Plan (KAP) headed by Mr Kakooza Mutale. The
pledge was made at Matembe in Luwero while the president was commissioning
the headquarters of the Civic Education Development Organisation, a
development agency under KAP.
This is not the first time we see
huge sums being given out for controversial projects. Recently, over
Shs1.2 billion was given to Members of Parliament who subscribe to the
Movement ideology, ostensibly to go to their constituencies and debate the
Cabinet White Paper.
Such spending sprees always raise more
questions than anybody is willing to answer. Why for example is government
not keen on paying pensioners it reportedly owes over Shs300 billion? Why
was there a money crisis over National Teachers Colleges when there
appears to be enough cash to pay âcivic educatorsâ?
Obviously this
chunk of money will not come from the government's coffers - at least
officially. So, where will it come from? Who is footing this bill, that is
so casually given away, moreover to an organisation that a more prudent
statesman would do well to distance themselves from publicly?
This
government has often been accused of failing to be accountable to the
people. It is no matter that public projects stall, provided the rulers
satisfy their political ambitions.
Political patronage has killed
basic objectives of serving country, as the leadership of this nation
defiantly dishes out dirty money and appointments only to those who
ascribe to the kisanja ideology and its promotion, and flagrantly
compromise even public officers.
Uganda sinks further in the eyes
of the world and its nationals, when funds that would be best chanelled
into more productive sectors, is used to fund activities that are overtly
promoting sectarian interests.
We call upon our Members of
Parliament to be vigilant on this issue, and hold government accountable
for this country's meager resources, and restrain it from irresponsible
spending sprees.
Our expenditure must reflect the character and needs
of the nation, not the leadersâ needs. |
 2005 The Monitor
Publications
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