Kampala, Uganda | The Black Examiner – Members of Parliament (MPs) have been left in a state of astonishment due to the National Agriculture Advisory Services’ (NAADs) substantial spending of over Sh21 billion on the clearance of bushes for the Atiak Sugar Factory farms.
This revelation emerged during a session of the parliamentary Committee on Statutory Commission and State Enterprise (COSASE) where MPs were examining the Auditor General’s report for the fiscal year 2021/2022.
The committee, under the leadership of Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi, made a shocking discovery while engaging with NAADs officials, led by their Executive Director Samuel Mugasi. The committee ascertained that NAADs had transgressed the established procurement procedures by engaging in restricted and direct bidding, which runs counter to the principles set out in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act.
According to the committee’s findings, NAADs disbursed a sum exceeding Sh21 billion for the clearance of bushes in Lamwo and Amuru, facilitating the cultivation of sugarcane seeds intended for the production of sugar at the Atiak sugar factory.
Detailed examination revealed that a staggering Sh15 billion was allocated for the clearance of 31.159 acres of land in the Amuru farming area, and an additional Sh6 billion was directed towards the clearing of land in Lamwo. This considerable allocation of funds raised concerns among the MPs, who viewed it as a potential instance of misappropriation of public funds in the guise of influencing decisions.
The shocking utilization of these substantial funds for bush clearing has sparked widespread debates within the parliamentary chambers, with many MPs expressing their deep-seated reservations and calling for a thorough investigation into the matter. The expenditure’s violation of proper procurement procedures, as well as the implications for transparent financial governance, have raised pressing concerns that require immediate attention.
As the parliamentary discussions unfold, the Atiak Sugar Factory farms’ bush clearing expenditure by NAADs remains a contentious issue, underscoring the significance of upholding fiscal responsibility and adherence to established regulations in public resource management.
