Embattled Road Safety Principal Officer in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Ronald Amanyire, has raised concerns over allegations involving Speaker Anita Among, following claims linked to payments described as “official leave” allowances.
The claims, made by activist Agather Atuhaire, allege that Speaker Among received about UGX 500 million, while her husband is said to have received UGX 90 million under related arrangements.
The allegations have triggered renewed public debate on how government funds are processed and monitored.
Amanyire questioned how such payments could move through key financial oversight systems without being flagged for scrutiny.
He pointed to the Ministry of Finance, asking how such transactions could be processed within the Public Financial Management framework without raising internal red flags.
He also questioned the role of the Bank of Uganda in clearing large transfers and whether audit bodies had identified the payments as irregular expenditure.
He argued that leave is already part of public service remuneration and does not constitute additional work that would justify separate payments.
“If the reports are accurate, then there is a serious problem in how public funds are being managed,” he said, adding that such payments raise questions about adherence to established financial procedures.
Amanyire further suggested that repeated approval of such transactions could indicate weaknesses within oversight institutions.
He said the situation could reflect either failure in accountability systems or deeper issues within the approval chain.
He added that the concern is not limited to one case but points to broader questions about how allowances and entitlements are interpreted within government structures.
According to him, unchecked financial practices risk normalizing irregular spending under the guise of procedure, weakening institutional accountability over time.
The matter has also sparked comparisons with practices in Parliament, where lawmakers receive various allowances tied to official duties, including travel and leave-related benefits.
This has led to public questions over whether similar structures apply across senior offices, including those of parliamentary leadership.
Attention has also turned to Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who has in the past been endorsed for senior parliamentary roles, with some questioning whether such payments fall within approved parliamentary guidelines or raise accountability concerns.
So far, the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Uganda, and Parliament have not issued official responses to the allegations.
The claims continue to fuel debate on how public funds are managed and the clarity of rules governing allowances and entitlements in government.