Kampala – The government has revised its loan request to buy electricity distribution company Umeme from more than US$190 million to more than US$118 million.
This was included in a special audit report for the termination of leases and allocations between Umeme Limited and Uganda Electrical Streaming Company Limited (UEDCL), adopted while sitting on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
This report was submitted by the Minister of State for Henry Musashiji’s finances, planning and economic development.
On March 20, 2025, Congress adopted a proposal to borrow more than US$190 million from Stanbic Bank, subject to the audit general’s confirmation of the investment of Umeme’s actual amount.
Before the revised figures were passed, the overall vice-chairman Thomas Teibwa, held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, urged the government to consider special audit reports when finalizing the sub-audit report with Mumeme.
“This morning, the Auditor submitted a special audit report and confirmed the acquisition amount of US$118 million against the approved US$190,” he said.
However, this. It sparked opposition from Ibrahim Ssemujuju, a member of the Kira City Council.
“We have never passed the report of an auditor who has not read it. There is an accountability committee that handles these reports. Have you waived certain rules that allow you to pass the report (now) without MPS processing?” Ssemujuju asked.
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Opposition leader Joel Seignony questioned the move to adopt the report, saying that Congress would hand over its budget committee to the executive committee in doing so.
“Audit General’s report must be verified and studied before passing. It’s good to know what’s in the report,” he said.
However, the Vice-Chairman led that unlike the annual report, a special audit report does not need to be referred to the committee.
“This is a time constraint report. You will need to sort out Umeme by March 31 (2025). This is a problem that breaks the deadlines in your contract. If not resolved, Umeme will have a blank check to determine penalties and profits,” says Tayebwa.
Geofrey Ekanya (FDC, Tororo North County) agreed to the Vice-Chair, citing practices from neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.
“Special audit reports have inherently criminal issues, but this report is time-bound, and requires Congress to call the required rules.
