The Directorate of Public Prosecution is on the spot over the alleged cover up of diversion of funds. Over 102million shillings meant to fund entity activities was depleted contrary to section 45 of the Public Finance Management Act(PFMA)2015.
The committee has been meeting the deputy Director of Public Prosecution Amos Ngolobe over audit queries among which were concerns of under-performance, highlighting a number of planned activities not implemented, even when it,(the directorate) received funds on time as budgeted.
Led by the Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Amos Ngoloobe, flanked by Vincent Wangonja(SA DPP), Odumbi James(principal accountant/PA DPP), Agnes Kainza(DAS), and other senior officials, they appeared before the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, which grilled them over matters raised by the Auditor General’s Report of 2016/17.
They include failure to open nationwide offices/stations, failure to implement the prosecution case management information system(PROCAMIS),failure to recruit staff, over half-a million case back log, and other irregularities.
The committee chaired by Hon. Gerald Karuhanga expressed disappointment after they could not clearly account for 102million shillings that was diverted for unknown purposes,
‘’Only Four stations have been opened, and 114 still await set up.the four include Buganda Road, Entebbe, Mukono, Kololo and the headquarters, however since 2014,the directorate has been receiving shs.3bn for that activity every year, wondered the committee chair. Hon Karuhanga.’’
Shs.5.1bn was intended for the software, equipment and the installation of the prosecution case management information system(PROCAMIS) but only shs.3.7bn was spent on the software.”
Unfortunately there was no documented proof or official report on how the funds were spent.
”we do not have an official report for that’’, said Odumbi James,the accountant , adding that they lumped up all costs since they were meant for similar activities, a move the committee rejected .
“lumping up is the very reasons we lose money, you cannot account in generality’’ we want an official document showing that you spent 2.6bn on the software. Did you actually pay that money to the IT firm, can you prove it?’’asked Hon. Karuhanga.
Mr.Odumbi also laboriously revealed that shs.333million was spent on network development, Shs 3.7 Bn to suppliers of the system.To support his submission,Mr. Ngoloobe attributed the delay to install ICT systems to the continuous change in technology.
They however lacked statements of account, contracts, work plans and other supportive documents.
The public Accounts Committee is mandated to examine the audited accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure of government.
The Directorate has been given 10 working days to deliver all documentation for purposes of accountability by parliament ,summing up their submissions on expenses as doubt-able expenditure.
Background Facts
The office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution was allocated Shs 28Bn as grants from the central government,97.7% of the approved budget 2016/17.Amidst this funding inefficiencies in administration have emerged according to the auditor General’s report which reveals the following shortcomings; inadequate wages for 2015/16,under funding of shs.585million, out of 18 staff only 2 were recruited, delayed response from neighboring countries during prosecution of cross border cases, 400,377 outstanding cases(30th June 2015),new cases at 130,472,total(convicted,acquitted,dismissed,withdrawn,closed)-134,887 and closing balance of 395,962 cases.