Overview:
Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, said of the Shs6.369 trillion, Shs 1.792 trillion or 28.1% goes to wages, which enhancements for scientists and the UPDF.
The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has released Shs6.369.829 trillion as government expenditure for the third quarter of the current financial year.
The money, which caters for the period between January and March, represents 24.50 percent of the current financial year’s budget.
As at end of Second Quarter, the Ministry had released Shs13.693.85 trillion, representing 52.7% of the Budget.
Speaking at the release of the budget on Wednesday, 11 January 2023, Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi said of the Shs6.369 trillion, Shs 1.792 trillion or 28.1% goes to wages, which enhancements for scientists and the UPDF.
Shs128.993 billion has been released to cater for payment of pension for the retired civil servants and Shs132.417 billion provided to cater for Gratuity payments in the quarter.
Under the Education sector, the capitation grants for schools have been fully provided to cater for Term One of the school year.
Ushs122.410 billion has been provided to National Medical Stores for the purchase of essential medicines and drugs while Ushs885.949 billion has been provided to UNRA to pay for certificates for the ongoing projects.
Ushs264 billion has been released for the Parish Development Model bringing the total release to 75% of the Approved Budget for PDM; Ushs121 billion has been provided to support the strategic interventions to boost food and animal feeds security; while Missions abroad have been provided With Ushs76.267 billion being the balance of the budget in order to hedge them against the exchange rate loss.
Mr Ggoobi also said Ushs143.647 billion has been provided to universities in line with the semester requirements of which Makerere — Ushs 58.990 billion, Kyambogo — Ushs 22.599 billion, MUBS — Ushs 17.520 billion, UMI — Ushs 7.310 billion, Mbarara — Ushs 6.003 billion, Gulu — Ushs 2.930 billion etc.
Ushs1.558.301 trillion(41.65% of the approved Local Government budget) has been released to local governments.
The PS urged accounting officers to prioritize payment of service providers on time and avoid accumulation of arrears.
He said there should be display of the payrolls for salaries arid monthly pensions on government institutions and cost center (schools, health centers, departments etc.) notice boards every month.
“Accounting officers must ensure timely submission of performance reports and accountability. The national identification numbers will be used in the confirmation Of payment of wages, pensions and gratuity,” he said.