Public school bursars and accountants could soon be required to declare their wealth, along with that of their spouses and dependent children, if a proposed amendment to the law is approved.
The Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Sirisia MP John Waluke, seeks to introduce lifestyle audits for bursars and accountants in all basic education institutions. Waluke said the measure would curb misuse of funds and block efforts to conceal illegally acquired property.
“Since time immemorial, in basic education institutions, bursars and accountants, being appointees of the boards of governance, have been manipulating the funds to their advantage, which results in self-enrichment. This is in contravention of the Public Officers Ethics Act,” Waluke told the Education Committee.
He argued that lifestyle audits would promote accountability, enhance compliance with the Public Audit Act, and ensure prudent use of public resources.
The MP further said bursars and accountants should be treated as public officers since their salaries are appropriated by Parliament. He added that lifestyle audits should extend to spouses to prevent investments of stolen funds through relatives.
Waluke also proposed transfers of bursars and accountants every three years to reduce corruption opportunities.
“The bursars are like civil servants; why should they serve in one school forever? That is what breeds corruption and misuse of public resources. These people have messed up many schools; they have acquired properties all over that you cannot even explain,” he said.
The Education Committee will review the proposal before deciding whether to recommend publication of the Bill. If approved, it will be introduced in the National Assembly for First Reading.
