back to top
HomeNewsMPs Roast Min.Bahati To Refund Shs 2Bn Sent 'In Error' To Stranded...

MPs Roast Min.Bahati To Refund Shs 2Bn Sent ‘In Error’ To Stranded Students In China Over Coronavirus

Published on

- Advertisement -spot_img

Legislators have warned government to resist the temptation of using the plight of Ugandan students quarantined in Wuhan, China over Corona Virus, to defraud tax payers.

The concern was raised by Ayivu County MP, Bernard Atiku, who claimed that the Ministry of Finance had sent up to $600,000 to Uganda’s Embassy over and above the approved $61,000 meant for the Ugandan students stranded in the country.

Atiku urged the August House to interest itself in reports from students in Wuhan that not all of them have been given money.

“Students are saying that not all have received the money and even the US$618 being given out to each student cannot match the rising costs of living in Wuhan,” said Atiku during the plenary sitting on Wednesday 11 March 2020.

The State Minister for Finance (Planning), Hon. David Bahati, explained that no money will be lost due to the error, as the Ministry had already asked the Ugandan Embassy in China to return what is above the approved US$61,000.

“It was just miscordinaton on our part, the original request was for US$600,000 but Cabinet approved only $61,000. No money will be lost, and every student is getting what they are supposed to get,” he said.

Bahati’s argument did not seem to convince legislators who said it was becoming a tradition for Ministry of Finance to disburse excess funds, with the excess ending up misappropriated.

“This cannot just be negligence, it is a common occurrence in the Ministry [of Finance]; the Accounting Officer is often asked to remit back money but this money never goes back to the Treasury,” said Hon Reagan Okumu (DFC, Aswa).

Later on,the  State Minister for Health (Primary Health Care), Joyce Moriku Kaducu confirmed that one case of Corona Virus has been confirmed in Democratic Republic of Congo. She however said that the Ministry would use the same measures used during the Ebola outbreak in the Congo to contain Corona Virus at Uganda’s borders.

 

Related

Just In: AIGP Charles Kataratambi Passes On

Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Charles Kataratambi, a longtime senior officer in the...

‘I Did Not Order For His Arrest’- PM Nabbanja Denies Ordering Arrest Of Galaxy TV Journalist

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has dismissed claims circulating in the media that she ordered...

Bobi Wine Hatched Plot To Eliminate Us Before Mpuuga’s 500M Saga- MP Ssegona,Vows To Consult Busiro East Voters

Busiro East MP Hon. Medard Lubega Sseggona has announced plans to consult his constituents...

Uganda,US Sign Pact To Supply AIDS Injectable Drugs

The US State Department announced today that it will introduce the HIV-prevention drug lenacapavir...

More from The Capital Times

Business Boom In Namugongo Ahead Of Martyrs Day

Business has picked up this morning at Namugongo Martyrs shrine according to traders. The...

Here is why the Faras Uganda is the Ultimate Convenience Mobility App for Every Ugandan

Kampala, Uganda – In a fast-paced world where time is increasingly precious, Ugandans are...

Museveni Inaugurates De Heus State Of The Art Fish Feed Factory In Njeru, Buikwe

Njeru, Jinja: De Heus Animal Nutrition, a global leader in animal feed solutions, has...