Ms Doreen Katusiime, the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Tourism, has this Thursday (inadvertently) made news on several social media and online platforms after the leadership of the Parliamentary Committee of PAC rejected submissions from the Ministry’s Under Secretary who had appeared to respond to queries in AG’s report.
The Committee leadership insisted that they want the PS/Accounting Officer herself to appear personally as opposed to delegating.Muwanga Kivumbi, the chair of the public accounts committee, said Katusiime is fond of dodging summons from parliament’s accountability committees.
“This is a habitual person in terms of dodging Parliament and accountability committees, and I have looked through the file, and because of her behavior, the committee was forced to consider the report without her appearance, and she is back at it again, same trick, same personality,” he said.
Kivumbi ordered the criminal investigation department to accompany the undersecretary to Katusiime’s home and bring her before the committee.
“Do you know where the accounting officer stays? I am going to give her criminal summons, CID; you accompany the Under Secretary; go to her home and get her here, he ordered.
He continued to protest the time wastage caused by Katusiime as a result of dodging committee meetings, saying MPs have spared time off recess to come attend committee meetings only to be made to look like fools.
KATUSIIME RESPONDS
In her response in a statement speaking about her arrest warrant , Katusiime has said that she took leave a few days ago. She clarified that she has never been called to appear before PAC.
“My absence from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC): I have taken note of social media reports about an alleged “arrest warrant” that was issued by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over my failure to appear to respond to issues raised in the Auditor General’s report for the Financial year ended June 2023. I took official leave on 7th March 2024 and handed over to the Undersecretary. So, he had led the Ministry team in his capacity as acting Accounting Officer. However, the Committee Chairperson asked that I appear in person as I take personal responsibility for this role.” Katusiime Said
“I would also like to make it clear that I have never been called to appear before PAC and I failed or refused to appear. [Gratefully], the Committee has rescheduled the meeting to Tuesday 19th March.” She Added
