Uganda MPs query Shs41.6 billion diverted by justice ministry
Parliament's Public Accounts Committee found Shs41.6 billion spent without authorisation, contravening the Public Finance Management Act.
Uganda's Parliament has questioned the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for diverting Shs41.6 billion. The funds were reportedly used for activities outside approved work plans without authorisation from the Finance Minister, Henry Musasizi. The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Hon. Patrick Nsamba, stated this expenditure violated the Public Finance Management Act.
Committee findings, presented on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, revealed the ODPP spent Shs900 million on constructing offices in Katakwi and Yumbe, while the Ministry of Justice diverted Shs40.7 billion. Nsamba noted that savings do not grant authority for unapproved spending, with much of the money allocated to court awards and compensation. The ODPP also faces scrutiny for paying Shs2.95 billion to Graphics Systems for system maintenance without key deliverables being met.
The report highlighted that the ODPP has filled only 600 of its 1,704 approved positions, leading to heavy workloads for prosecutors. The committee recommended enforcing contract liability provisions, recovering funds, and auditing the Prosecution Case Management Information System (PROCAMIS), which has seen Shs42 billion spent since 2017 with reported malfunctions. The Ministry of Justice reported contingent liabilities of Shs3.492 trillion, largely from lawsuits.
Why it mattersUgandan taxpayers' money was spent without proper authorisation by government entities responsible for justice.