Makerere University Chairperson of Council Mrs Lorna Magara has applauded the University Management for taking active steps towards a participatory budgeting process.
This was during the Second Budget Management Workshop to review the implementation procedures and execution processes of the Makerere University Budget for the Financial Year 2020/2021.
The workshop brought together University stakeholders to discuss budget appropriations with an insight of the university and national development objectives.
According to the Acting University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, in Uganda, Government entities are required by law to involve stakeholders in the financial planning activities for probity and inclusive resource allocation.
“The budget workshop is a platform where we discuss the challenging priorities with stakeholders and share ideas that can lead to a balanced budget for the financial year 2020/2021,” he said.
Represented by Mr. Bruce Kabaasa, the Chairperson of the Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee (FPAIC), Mrs. Lorna Magara, said that a participatory budgeting process is a requirement of both the law and the principals of good governance.
“The Finance Management Act of 2015 (as amended) clearly defines this obligation. Section 9(1) of the said law requires every Accounting Officer to prepare a budget framework paper of a vote in consultation with the relevant stakeholders,” She said.
She requested every stakeholder in the budget processing to provide their input on time as per the Public Management Act for Council approval and consideration. she asked the Management Budget Committee to take a keen note of the following while drafting the budget:
How the University operationalize the new strategic plan?
How previous policies of the University Council have been complied with, for example, the requirement that 33% of AIA is managed at the college based on activities
Ensuring that funds collected for a given purpose are used for that purpose.
Specific interests here will be made towards functional fees items like examinations, technology among others.
Ensuring that the core activities of the university such as teaching materials, internship, recess term, examinations and external examiners are prioritized over and above commonly popular items such as allowances, travel, workshops among others.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, applauded the Department of Finance for organizing the participatory Budget Management Workshops. He encouraged stakeholders to priotise research while drafting unit budgets.
Prof. Nawangwe urged the Unit Accounting Officers to prepare budget frameworks in consultation with relevant stakeholders. He also advised them to adhere to the deadline and endeavor to submit their budget on time.
Representing the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. William Bazeyo, the Principal College of Business and Management Science who also doubles as the Chairperson of the Management Budget Committee, Dr. Eria Hisali highlighted the importance of a consultative and participatory budget process when he said “ through the budget workshops, we can restructure our University by planning within the available resources to impact development and sustain university activities.”
