By URN
The government lost 33 billion Shillings in payroll irregularities in the last financial year 2021/2022.
Part of the money was paid to ineligible teachers, overpaid in salaries and pension, and in some other instances, paid to retired, transferred, dead, or staff who absconded.
This was revealed by Auditor General John Muwanga in his financial year 2021/2022 audit report presented to Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among on Thursday.
The report highlights that the government lost 19 billion Shillings through the payment of salaries to ineligible teachers in 129 Local Governments.
According to Muwanga, the individuals paid in secondary school and tertiary institutions used forged minute numbers to access government payroll. He said that 609 staff were paid for periods ranging from 1 to 39 years, with some even approaching retirement.
The findings are part of the Auditor General’s inquiry into payroll management in Local Governments.
“I undertook an audit of payroll management in Local Governments which revealed major challenges. Despite my recommendations, payroll management challenges still exist in Local Governments including lack of consolidated staff list by the Ministry of Public Service, irregularities in payments and deductions, and access to the payroll by ineligible staff, among others,” says Muwanga.
During the financial year 2021/2022, Muwanga considered payments and deductions in 130 Local Governments as a key audit matter.
