By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority ( UFZEPA), is in the spotlight after an internal investigation within the authority questioned millions of shillings spent through fuel cards, finding staff receiving fuel regardless of vehicle ownership hence exposing serious gaps in financial controls. However, the authority’s Executive Director, Hez Alinda acknowledged that transactions are under investigation.
An internal audit at the Uganda Free Zones Authority, has raised serious questions over the management of public funds after discovering disputed fuel transactions exceeding Shs348 million, multiple fuel withdrawals and glaring weaknesses in financial accountability systems.
A confidential internal audit report dated September 14, 2026, shows how eight selected fuel cards were loaded with more than Shs.348 million over a 12-month period, with investigators questioning large transactions involving multiple invoices at selected fuel stations.
The audit investigation, which was ordered by the Authority’s Board on July 24, 2026, followed concerns about fuel management, office imprest and allegations of missing money. However, in the process of investigations what the investigators uncovered went beyond questionable fuel purchases.
The report established that the authority was operating without an approved fleet management policy and a Finance and Accounting Manual, leaving significant gaps in the systems meant to safeguard public resources.
Internal Audit Manager Peter Omwine warned the Board that the Authority’s financial management arrangements exposed public money to potential abuse.
“The findings indicate that in all circumstances, there are inadequate internal control systems in place,” Omwine wrote.
The audit examined selected fuel cards and established that six cards registered under Sharon Keitetsi Nangiro had received a combined Shs272.37 million.
Another card associated with Deo Kyomya was allocated Shs75.9 million, while a separate card held by accountant Fiona Kesiime received Shs12.3 million.
The allocations raise questions about the management and accountability of fuel distributed through the Authority’s card system.
More concerning, investigators established that authority’s staff received quarterly fuel allocations regardless of whether they owned vehicles.
“It has also been established that staff are given quarterly fuel loaded on their cards whether one owns a car or not and such fuel may be used in form of transport,” the report states.
Meanwhile, the authority’s Executive Director Hez Kimoomi Alinda acknowledged the weaknesses identified by the internal investigation but insisted that the Authority was taking steps to address them.
Alinda said the Authority was only 18 months old and took financial accountability, governance and proper management of public resources seriously.
He confirmed that the disputed fuel transactions were still being investigated.
“The transactions in question are a subject of an inquiry. They arose from feeding the generators and tank reservoir at Entebbe using jerrycans because the nozzles of the tank are small and lacked a valve for bulk delivery,” Alinda explained.
He said UFZEPA had engaged its fuel supplier and contractor to modify the tanks to allow direct bulk deliveries and eliminate the need to transport fuel in jerrycans.
The Executive Director also disclosed that a draft Fuel and Fleet Management Policy had been submitted to management, while a draft Finance and Accounting Manual was awaiting approval by the Board.
Alinda added that the Senior Administrative Officer was responsible for fleet management and, by implication, fuel management.
Management has pledged to review questionable transactions and hold responsible officers accountable where irregularities are established.
In conclusion, the internal auditors have recommended collective action against officers found responsible for fuel mismanagement and called for the introduction of a formal fleet management policy.
