Highlights:
- UGX 8 Billion Scandal Prompts Ministry Official’s Demotion
- Accounting Officer’s Authority Cut in Wake of UGX 8 Billion Controversy
- Ministry Official Faces Consequences Over UGX 8 Billion Financial Query
Geraldine Ssali, who serves as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Co-operatives, has been removed from her role as the Accounting Officer following financial concerns related to the use of approximately Sh8 billion.
These concerns emerged during a parliamentary investigation into the alleged financial misappropriation of supplementary funds for the financial year 2021/22.
The committee conducting the investigation called for Ssali’s removal from her position as the Accounting Officer, citing charges such as abuse of office, causing financial loss, negligence of duty, among others. This report was approved by the parliament in August.
The investigation found that Ssali had failed to manage and ensure the proper use of funds allocated for the renovation of the ministry’s offices at Farmers House.
The committee recommended that ministry officials, including Tom Opio, Daniel Kalule, Deo Byaruhanga, and Rosemary Asiimwe, be subject to investigation by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) and the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Act of 2009.
Additionally, the committee suggested the potential prosecution of Ssali for the abuse of her authority.
Mwine Mpaka, the Committee Chairperson, highlighted that in the Financial Year 2021/2022, a supplementary request for eight billion Shillings was made by the then-Permanent Secretary, Grace Adong, for office premises rent, but parliament granted five billion.
In May 2022, Geraldine Ssali, the new Permanent Secretary, requested the Secretary to the Treasury, Ggoobi, to transfer the funds from rent to renovation. Ggoobi approved the request but insisted on a change in the work plan to ensure the proper utilization of the funds.
The committee was shocked to discover that even before the revised work plan could be approved by the Secretary to the Treasury, Geraldine Ssali had already initiated the procurement process for the renovation of office premises.
Another revelation during the investigation was Ssali’s authorization of the procurement of four used cars for ministry officials at a cost of two billion Shillings.
Based on these findings, Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury, decided to remove Ssali from her role and asked her minister, Francis Mwebesa, to nominate a new Accounting Officer while Ssali is investigated for corruption.
In a letter dated October 3, 2023, Ggoobi referenced the parliamentary probe committee’s recommendation and exercised his authority under the Public Finance Management Act to withdraw Geraldine Ssali’s appointment and designation as an Accounting Officer, citing her alleged involvement in illegal and deliberate fraudulent practices that cost the government eight billion Shillings.
Ggoobi’s letter also mentioned the removal of Tom Opio, an office attendant at the ministry, from the Electronic Government Procurement System, to prevent disruptions in the procurement processes.
Opio had been involved in procurement activities with Ssali’s approval, despite being designated as an office attendant. Ssali defended his involvement, citing his procurement degree.
Ggoobi’s actions followed the conclusions and recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives regarding the diversion of five billion Shillings, originally allocated for rent, towards the renovation of Farmers House.
Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the Budadiri County West MP, recommended the immediate interdiction of the Trade Ministry PS by the Head of Public Service.
Minister Francis Mwebesa stated, “We all have a duty to fight corruption in this country, and my ministry will collaborate with other authorities to act on the committee’s recommendations.”
