In what seems to be a dutiful approach to disappointment, Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija has lashed at Energy Minister Irene Muloni for her failure to use a loan budgeted for electricity expansion, which falls under her ministry.
Kasaija called for disciplinary action for the failure. Kasaija has over the years impressed with his uncanny attention to seeing Uganda’s economy grow and prosper. As such, the Finance Minister works overtime to see anything related to the economy grow.
Kasaija’s contention with Muloni’s failure stems from a USD 36m loan that was procured to develop and expand electricity across the country.
In the letter, Kasaija said he was disappointed with Muloni and the Energy ministry over their failure to produce bankable project proposals when the energy sector particularly electricity was facing financing deficits.
“I would like to remind you that projects like electrification of industrial parks notably, Kapeka, Sukulu and Mbale, and many other transmissions lines remain unfunded”. Kasaija in a nonchalant tone wrote to Muloni.
Efforts to get a comment from Irene Muloni were futile as she didnt respond to our repeated calls. The Finance Ministry Spokesperson could not be reached either.
Insiders in Cabinet intimated to this website that in-fighting and finger-pointing on failed government directives is common among Ministers as they jostle to impress the President who is keen on service delivery for the people.
Below, we reproduce Kasaija’s letter in which he copies the President, Prime Minister, Head of Public Service.
Failure to utilise USD 36,000,000 savings from the Electricity Development Project Loan
Reference is made to a letter from your Permanent Secretary dated 1st June, 2018, requesting my Ministry to initiate the cancellation process of the unutilized loan amount of US $36,000,000.
Further reference is made to a letter dated 16th March 2015 from the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to Treasury requesting your Ministry to submit proposals for financing using savings realized from the project.
It is extremely disappointing that your sector failed to produce bankable project proposals when the sector is financing deficits. I would like to remind you that projects like electrification of industrial parks notably, Kapeka, Sukulu and Mbale, and many other transmissions lines remain unfunded.
This is to express my displeasure for the failure to utilize the resources when you had all the opportunity to efficiently utilize the resources to finance unfunded priorities in the sector.
I strongly recommend special disciplinary measures be undertaken against whoever was responsible.