Published on 16/07/2024
The Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) recently questioned Uganda Broadcasting Corporation’s (UBC) asset management. MPs were alarmed when UBC’s top management revealed an asset register from 2006, suggesting the broadcaster may have neglected asset valuation for 18 years. This oversight has raised serious concerns about UBC’s financial accountability.
During the probe, Bwamba County MP Richard Muhumuza criticized the outdated asset register, pointing out its non-compliance with the Accountant General’s standards. “Are you claiming all these 18-year-old assets are still functional?” he challenged. “This register dates back to March 2006. Where is the latest one?”
Ferigo Kambale (Kasese Municipality) also expressed concerns, questioning how UBC has been operating without an updated asset register. He criticized the lack of a qualified audit opinion from the Auditor General, given the apparent disorganization at UBC. “If I was an auditor, I would just qualify your report immediately,” Kambale remarked.
Winston Agaba, Managing Director of UBC, informed the Committee that the new Board of Directors had begun verifying the existence of UBC’s assets. They have already inspected assets in South West and Central Uganda and plan to continue to Eastern and Northern regions. Agaba explained that some assets are obsolete and need replacement, which has contributed to the outdated register.
Agaba blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for delaying the update of the asset register, noting that the last board of survey was conducted in 2019. Allan Mayanja , the Nakaseke Central County Representative questioned this excuse, pointing out that the Public Finance Management Act 2015 requires an annual board of surveys for each vote. “In 2024, you are still talking about COVID-19?” Mayanja asked. Agaba responded, “It is the effects that I am talking about.”
Charles Bakabulindi, Workers MP dismissed the funding excuse, arguing that verifying land ownership does not require significant financial resources. He urged UBC to provide an updated register within a week to avoid further delays.
Agaba clarified that the 2006 document presented was a vesting order, not the current asset register. He acknowledged that while UBC has an updated asset register as of June 30, 2023, it lacks asset values due to financial constraints in conducting evaluations.
This is not the first parliamentary probe into UBC’s assets. In August 2016, a similar inquiry was conducted by COSASE when Margaret Muhanga (Burahya County) claimed to have sold livestock to raise UGX 100.2 billion to purchase over 23 acres of UBC land. Muhanga, now the Minister of State for Primary Health Care, has held her position since 2021.
