On Tuesday Morning Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among received the Auditor General’s report on the government’s audited accounts for the previous financial year, in fulfillment of Article 163(4) of the Constitution. This article mandates the Auditor General to annually submit a report of the audited accounts to Parliament under clause (3) for the immediately preceding financial year.
In the report the Auditor General John Muwanga exposed mismanagement of COVID-19 vaccines in Uganda with a staggering 5.6 million doses, valued at UGX 28 billion, found to have expired and rotted in the National Medical Stores (NMS) facilities in Entebbe.
The report highlights a significant failure in the storage and preservation of these vital vaccines, raising questions about the effectiveness of NMS’ distribution and monitoring systems.
NMS is headed by Moses Kamabare as the General Manager.
The COVID-19 vaccines, intended to safeguard public health amid the ongoing pandemic, have suffered a severe setback due to what appears to be a lack of proper oversight.
The Auditor General’s findings shed light on the financial implications of this oversight, with the monetary value of the wasted vaccines amounting to UGX 28 billion.
This not only represents a substantial financial loss but also underscores the urgency for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the decay.
The NMS, as a critical component of Uganda’s healthcare infrastructure, now faces scrutiny over its handling of these vaccines. The report emphasizes the need for accountability and corrective measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The revelation of vaccine spoilage comes at a critical juncture in the global effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and the implications extend beyond national borders.
Parliament which conducts oversight on all government entities is expected to respond promptly by putting to task Mr Kamabare and his team to address the issues raised in the Auditor General’s report.