By Robert Edwomu
SOROTI
Districts across Teso sub region last financial year 2021-2022 failed to spend Shs. (24,044,912,577) billion and returned it to the Consolidated Fund.
The returned money left many planned projects partially or un-implemented.
KATAKWI DISTRICT
A total of UGX.(32,253,133,161) was received but only UGX.(30,127,091,367)was spent leaving unspent balance of UGX.(2,126,041,794).
This was for Payment of salaries, Construction of Akoboi and Toroma Seed Schools, Upgrade of Koritok HCII to HCIII, Purchase of specialized medical equipment for Koritok HC III, Payment of pension and salary arrears and renovation of classrooms
KALAKI DISTRICT
Out of the total warrants for the financial year of Ugx, (17,137,040,185), the district only spent Ugx (12,723,612,922) and returned UGX.(4,413,427,263).
The money was meant for payments of Wages, Pension, Apapai seed Secondary School construction and Rehabilitation.
KAPELEBYONG DISTRICT
A total of UGX. (15,551,998,221) was received but UGX. (12,235,337,606) was spent resulting in unspent balance of UGX. (3,316,660,615) billion.
The funds were meant to construct structures at Akoromit Seed School, maternity or general ward for Aeket HC, staff recruitment and accessibility to clean water for domestic use.
KABEREMAIDO DISTRICT
Kaberemaido got UGX. (17,634,284,742) spent UGX.(16,896,451,189) and sent back (737,833,553) million.
The returned money was meant for the construction of Aperkira seed school, USE for Kakure seed School, Payment of Pension and Salary arrears.
NGORA DISTRICT
Ngora district received UGX. (22,984,373,307), spent UGX.(20,433,190,219) and sent back UGX.(2,551,183,088).
SERERE
Serere received UGX. (36,425,484,861), spent UGX.(34,358,443,242) and failed to spend UGX. (2,067,041,619).
BUKEDEA
Bukedea received UGX.(34,279,615,346) spent UGX.(34,278,449,788) and returned only UGX.(1,165,558).
KUMI
Kumi got UGX.(33,007,726,183), spent UGX.(31,840,822,185) and returned UGX.(1,166,903,998).
AMURIA
Amuria received UGX. (29,579,581,338) spent UGX. (25,203,754,925) and returned UGX (4,375,826,413).
SOROTI CITY
Soroti city received UGX. (27,191,436,469) spent UGX.(26,510,968,333) returned UGX.(680,468,136).
SOROTI DISTRICT
Soroti district got UGX.32, 154,680,152, spent UGX (29,546,319,610) returned UGX.(2,608,360,540).
The money was meant for Construction of General ward at Aukot HC II and OPD at Ocokican HC II, Construction of Kamuda Seed School, Payment of General Staff salaries and Payment of salary arrears.
Francis Akorikin, Chairperson LCV Kapelebyong district in his response noted that construction projects were affected by the President’s pronouncement to have all construction projects awarded to the Army construction Brigade.
Akorikin intimated that the pronouncement affected all districts in the country and by the time they were allowed to source contractors it was only days left to the closure of the financial year.
He adds that other sectors were affected because of delayed releases and bureaucratic processes involved in accessing and utilizing the funds.
He further disclosed that the district wrote to the ministry to revoke the fund but up-to-date nothing is reflected in the accounts even after they were promised while in Kyankwanzi for the retreat with the President.
However a section of the accounting officers attributed return of the money to delayed releases and inconsistency in the projects and activities the money was meant for like pension and gratuity, salaries payments and others.
