Major Headache for Museveni as MPs Reveal How UGX 20 Billion Was Lost in His UPDF Food Project

MPs were left in shock after learning that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) mismanaged Shs29.8 billion allocated in August 2022 for a food production initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Instead of generating the anticipated Shs37.9 billion, the project yielded only Shs9.1 billion, leading to a massive loss of Shs28.9 billion to Ugandan taxpayers.

The initiative, spearheaded by the government through the Ministry of Defence, aimed to grow food crops to combat the rising food shortage. However, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed that the program encountered multiple setbacks that severely affected its output.

The Ministry of Defence explained that several challenges impeded the expected results. Among these were the late planting of crops, which reduced the growing season and, consequently, the harvest.

Additionally, manual labor costs per acre were higher than anticipated, which further stretched the budget beyond its limits. Erratic weather patterns, including severe droughts and floods, compounded the situation, resulting in a lower-than-expected crop yield.

MPs expressed frustration over the poor management of such a crucial initiative, highlighting the severe loss to taxpayers. Many questioned the Army’s capacity to handle large-scale agricultural projects, with some calling for an independent review of the project’s failures.

LINK: https://x.com/pwatchug/status/1841011694291558836

The significant loss in this project has sparked a larger debate over the efficiency and accountability of public funds. This incident raises serious concerns over the government's capacity to address food insecurity and effectively manage taxpayer money, with some MPs even demanding a full investigation into how the funds were used and who should be held accountable for the failure.

With growing public scrutiny, this has become a major headache for President Museveni's administration, as questions arise over the mismanagement of government funds.