On 12th September 2019, the Finance Department at Makerere University organized a Budget Management Workshop to review the implementation procedures and execution processes of the Makerere University Budget for the Financial Year 2019/2020.

Attended by staff from Finance Department, office of the University Secretary, Principals, Heads of Departments and College Accountants, the Budget Management Workshop focused on:

• Understanding the Makerere University Revenue forecast
• Development of workplans and linking them to budgets and implementation
• Financial Management, Control and Accountability

Speaking at the workshop, the Acting University Secretary Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, emphasized the importance of a budget when he said, “A budget is a necessary tool in our ability to do work diligently. Everything we do at the university, comes down squarely to budgeting.”

He appealed to staff to set priorities in the allocation of resources and also establish financial control over inputs to ensure compliance with rules. Mr. Kiranda urged staff to manage budget operations with fiscal prudence, efficiency, and integrity; and to ensure that they account for the money spent.  

The University Bursar, Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha encouraged staff to budget for mandatory activities as well as key programmes within their respective units. Mr. Bainomugisha encouraged staff to spend within their budget limits. He called upon all staff to embrace the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) for faster, open and transparent transactions.

Discussing the structure of Makerere University budget for Financial Year 2019/2020, the Manager in Charge of Accounts and Reporting, Directorate of Finance CPA Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira highlighted the regulatory frameworks in the budget’s execution. He thanked the college principals and heads of department for creating an enabling environment for the bursars and accountants at colleges to serve the university.

The Manager, Grants and Revenue, Mrs. Jackie Keirungi Ayorekire appealed to Makerere University staff to support all processes aimed at generating revenue for the University. “We need to deliberately support the systems that generate income. Let us revise our finance and revenue bureaucracy model and handle revenue collection as our main responsibility.”

She cautioned staff to treat customers with dignity when she said, “we should not suffocate our clients who produce income.”

Presenting the format of work plans to participants, the Acting Director of Planning and Development Department Mr. Matia Kabuye emphasized the need for the units to develop work plans that align with their budget.

Article by:  Nabatte Proscovia; Mak Public Relations Office.