The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Jinja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Members of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda-ICPAU have asked agencies to practice ethical accounting practices, which will promote improved services in the community.
This was the call at the second annual Public Finance Management-PFM conference in Jinja City on Wednesday. The PFM was started last year to bring together accountants from both the private and public sectors to brainstorm on the country’s stand regarding proper accounting practices.
They also study how the government is fairing in regards to implementing the national development plans, shortfalls deterring realization of the set plans and also share ideas on how improved accounting practices can propel robust development.
This year’s PFM conference is running under the theme, ‘Public Finance Management for Enhanced Service Delivery.
The ICPAU Vice President, Ronald Mutumba said that several government institutions are engaged in corruption tendencies ranging from poor accountability, and absence from duty stations, among others, which require joint efforts to improve better services.
Mutumba noted that proper accounting within the public sector can be primarily addressed through the implementation of the recommendations in the Auditor General’s report, where most financial lapses are cited.
Mutumba argued that PFM is everyone’s responsibility as it is the key determinant of all forms of proper service deliverables rendered to the country in the form of good roads, schools, and hospitals, among other aspects.
Mutumba added that if public sectors actualize the functionality of all the components of the PFM Act 2015, members of the general public will be saved from unwarranted fees incurred due to poor service delivery.
ICPAU Secretary, Derick Nkajja said that responsible actors are falling short of enforcing the implementation of the PFM Act within the government agencies, leading to increased cases of revenue shortfalls, corruption and wastage of the meagre government resources.
Nkajja is optimistic that, this year’s PFM engagement is a key driver in deriving innovations and establishing long-lasting collaborations to deter the wastage of public funds.
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