By jimmy Muhumuza,
Parliament.
The parliamentary committee of Finance has directed the ministry of finance to revise the budget release for the first quarter to address the budget cuts.
Lawmakers on the parliamentary committee of finance had a heated clash with officials from the Ministry of Finance today over the persistent budget cuts done on the overall budgets approved by Parliament.
The concern was raised by the committee chairperson Mr. Keefa Kiwanuka questioning why the government releases funds less than the exact amount passed by Parliament.
Finance committee members are concerned that the cuts affect critical areas which eventually translate into stalled government projects and have a direct effect on service delivery besides causing the backlog in sensitive Ministries Departments and Departments (MDAs).
Legislators warned that the government risks failing to register its set development and other economic growth plans if funds are released late.
In his response, the minister of state for finance in charge of general duties Henry Musasizi acknowledged the fault caused by the budget cuts and committed to undertake detailed scrutiny into shortfalls triggered by the cuts and thereafter effect changes on the same.
Minister Musasizi disclosed that contrary to the expected 25 percent release for each quarter, his ministry released 19 percent to the various MDAs and entities in the first quarter of the 2022/23 Budget due to shortfalls in revenue collections.
