By Regina Lalam olal

KAMPALA -The Committee on Public Accounts - Central Government has dismissed senior officials from the Ministry of Local Government after they failed to respond to audit queries that MPs described as basic and straightforward.

The officials, led by Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya, had appeared before the Committee on Monday this week to respond to findings in the Auditor General's Report for the Financial Year 2024/2025.

The Committee tasked the Ministry to explain expenditure beyond its approved budget. According to the Auditor General's report, the Ministry received Shs12 billion but spent Shs13 billion, prompting MPs to question the source of the additional Shs1 billion.

The Committee also questioned a Shs7.5 million charge incurred while transferring Shs56 million in non-tax revenue to the Consolidated Fund.

In his response, Mr. Kumumanya told the Committee that the official most familiar with the financial figures was on leave and requested more time to prepare adequate responses.

However, Members were not satisfied with the explanation.

The Committee subsequently dismissed the officials and directed them to return on a later date with satisfactory explanations to all the audit queries raised.