Politics 24 February 2026 Howwe Entertainment
MPs Grill Finance Ministry Over Prolonged Acting Appointments
Uganda's Public Accounts Committee has criticized the Ministry of Finance for keeping officials in acting roles beyond the legal six-month limit, impacting accountability and employment opportunities. Officials blame a 2015 Cabinet decision to scrap director positions across ministries. Source: https://www.howwe.ug/news/national/42526/ministry-officials-in-acting-capacity-for-long-concerns-mps
Members of Parliament on the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) questioned the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development during a February 23, 2026 meeting. The ministry team, led by Deputy Permanent Secretary Patrick Ocailap, addressed issues from the 2024/2025 audit report.
Lawmakers highlighted that many officials have remained in acting capacities far longer than the allowed six months. Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa stressed that this undermines accountability, as substantive leaders are accountable to Parliament. He demanded a written explanation from the PSST.
Deputy Chairperson Gorreth Namugga pointed to low staffing levels of about 35% in government entities, linking it to high unemployment. She noted that confirming acting officers would free up positions for others and requested a full list of such staff across entities.
Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi described the issue as a major management flaw needing urgent attention from ministry leadership.
Ocailap attributed delays to a 2015 Cabinet decision eliminating director roles ministry-wide. He said reviews were lengthy, with directors now retained only in Finance, pending full restructuring completion.
Source: Howwe Entertainment