MPs challenge UBC on 18-year asset mismanagement
Winston Agaba, Managing Director of UBC, informed the Committee that the new Board of Directors had begun verifying the existence of UBC's assets.
The Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) recently scrutinized the asset management of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC). This inquiry was triggered when UBC’s top management presented an asset register from 2006, raising concerns among MPs about whether the national broadcaster has failed to value its assets for over 18 years.
During the probe, Bwamba County MP Richard Muhumuza questioned the format of the asset register, noting it did not conform to the standards set by the Accountant General. Muhumuza stated, “Are you saying that all these assets from 18 years ago are still there and useful? This register is for March 2006. Where is the most recent asset register?”
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 Agaba explained that some assets are obsolete and need replacement, which has contributed to the outdated register.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.
