Parliament Committee Faults Judiciary PS for Rent Arrears

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi, has criticized Judiciary Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana for failing to budget for rent fees.

While reviewing the Auditor General’s 2023-2024 report, the committee discovered rent arrears totaling 13 billion shillings, attributed to Bigirimana’s failure to allocate funds in the budget.

Kivumbi cited the failure of accounting officers to adhere to financial management laws as the primary reason for the high arrears. He also demanded an explanation from Bigirimana on the accumulated debt.

Bigirimana refuted the findings, claiming the judiciary had budgeted for rent but was denied funds by the Ministry of Finance, which led to the arrears.

He further threatened to have landlords close courts until the government settles the debts.

Kivumbi rejected Bigirimana’s explanation and sustained the query, instructing the committee clerk to summon the Finance Minister for clarification.