Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja has reportedly been put on spot for allegedly diverting UGx5 billion from the UGx15 billion allocated to the Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees.
According to reports, this money was part of contingency budget to support areas affected by disasters.
The matter was raised by Hon. Geoffrey Macho (Indep., Busia Municipality) as a matter of national importance during the plenary sitting on 30 September 2021.
Macho said that on 29 September 2021, a message was circulated to members that the Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Hon Hilary Onek was crying foul that the money was diverted from his ministry by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
“I found it important to find out from the Minister about the facts of this matter. This Shs5 billion is a lot of money for the tax payer. We need to know whether the Shs15 billion has been utilised well since majority of the areas in Uganda are facing disaster,” he said.
The Minister of State for Relief, Disaster preparedness and Refugees, Hon Esther Anyakun said that there was a request from the senior minister to the Ministry of Finance ministry for a contingency budget to respond to disasters countrywide.
“We requested for Shs30 billion but we were given Shs15 billion. Out of this, my ministry received Shs10 billion and we have spent it so far for purchase of relief items,” she said.
