The Chairperson of Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi , disclosed that the planned visit to the Lubowa Hospital site has once again failed, citing a lack of proper protective gear as the reason.
The Committee received communication from the Speaker of Parliament on April 26, 2024, requesting them, for the third time, to postpone the visit.
Kivumbi explained that the site visit, scheduled for April 26, 2024, was unsuccessful because those in charge of the Lubowa hospital site requested more time to procure personal protective gear for the MPs. Initially planned for April 12, 2024, the visit was rescheduled to April 26, 2024, after the Lubowa team asked for a postponement until after April 22, 2024.
However, the agreed date was not honored, and further time was requested by the site authorities.
Kivumbi expressed frustration, emphasizing the ease of acquiring safety gear for the sizable delegation of 50 MPs, around 20 members of the press, and approximately 15 support staff.
He questioned the inability to procure basic safety equipment such as reflectors, plastic helmets, and gumboots, even suggesting buying them from markets like Owino.
Kivumbi pledged to communicate a new date for the visit. The committee’s interest in visiting the site stems from an audit query in the Auditor General’s report for Treasury Operations, which raised concerns about an overpayment of Ugx 286 billion for work not done.
The Ministry of Health disputed the findings, prompting the Committee’s decision to conduct a site visit to verify the contrasting statements.
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