Via RedPepper.co.ug, a February 19 report: Health Ministry Queries Accountability for Nodding Syndrome Funds. To give you some idea of the funding in question, 1 million Ugandan shillings = US$406. Excerpt:
Ministry of health has threatened to withhold funding for the nodding syndrome following delays by the beneficiary districts to account for over 800 million shillings.
The money in question was disbursed in the last two financial years. However, a circular issued by the health ministry last month, indicts that districts and hospitals in Northern Uganda, which benefited from the money are yet to fully account for it.
According to the circular Kitgum, Amuru and Gulu districts received 177 million shillings, 99M and 99 Million shillings respectively but to date have not accounted for a penny.
Pader district received 237M but only accounted for 76Million, Lamwo received 158M and accounted for 57M and Oyam received 93m but only accounted for only 31M.
Gulu regional referral hospital received 27M but only accounted for 12m and Lira regional referral hospitals has not accounted for the 109 Million shillings received.
Now, Dr Asuman Lukwago, the permanent secretary ministry of health says the districts will not recieve additional funds unless they account for the previous funds as stipulated in the financial and accounting regulations.
Dr Bernard Opar, the coordinator nodding syndrome ministry of health says the districts delayed to submit accountabilities forcing the ministry to demand full accountability.
Opar says despite the fact that some of the district submitted their accountability as a result of the pressure from the ministry; it is yet to verify the figures.
When contacted some of the responsible district officials denied allegations that they had failed to account for the disbursed funds. The instead blamed the problem on a communication gap between the ministry and districts.
