As Ugandans continue to answer government’s call to donate towards the COVID-19 national response , civil servants have been put on notice that they shall be personally held accountable if the donated items don’t reach the intended recipients.
The latest warming comes at a time when the general public is skeptical about systems that have been set up to ensure that the hitherto -known corruption tendencies within the government machinery don’t negate a well intentioned effort to reward heath workers at the frontline in the fight against the coronavirus and reach out to the most need of society in the nation wide fight against the ravaging pandemic , a lockdown and curfew that has kept many out of wok and business.
“ I would like to use this opportunity to remind the district teams that are receiving donations on behalf of the National Task Force on COVID-19 to stick to the existing strict guidance on accountability and transparency.
“The responsible District Teams must exercise full transparency in the distribution of these items. The criteria for selection of beneficiaries and distribution of all items received must be well documented and carried out in the presence of all key stakeholders at the district,” a statement issued and signed by the Minister of Information Communications Technology and National Guidance , Ms. Judith Nabakooba ,says .
Civil servants at all levels of government have been put on notice that they shall be personally held accountable for any reported cases of corruption within their jurisdictions.
“The distribution register must correspond and balance up well with the Asset register that captured the items received. As of now all the responsible district authorities in their respective categories have got this money and the respective guidance on how to utilize it.I want to remind all of the responsible authorities to utilize this money properly and ensure that it is well accounted for.
“Please remember that all public officers are responsible for their actions or inactions. Please be guided by the anti corruption act. It is wrong to falsify accountability of public resources,|” the strongly worded statement advices .
The government officials have been told to adhere to intended results, optimally utilize resources advanced to achieve set targets and goals in the COVID-19 response and work within the provided resources.
“The responsible District Teams must exercise full transparency in the distribution of these items. The criteria for selection of beneficiaries and distribution of all items received must be well documented and carried out in the presence of all key stakeholders at the district.”
Government thanked Ugandans for responding to the President’s call for donations and to the communities that are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
President Museveni has called on Ugandans to support and raise vehicle fleet for district health teams to 10 new four wheel cars per district bringing the number to 1,350 new vehicles in total.
