The Ministry of Justice has pledged to clamp down hard on all those involved in misuse of public funds. This tough action should also affect those responsible for delays in implementing government projects.

The latest to emerge from the Public Accounts Committee hearings is that construction works for the long awaited Mageragere Prison were delayed because Nyarugenge District Officials diverted and mismanaged the earmarked funds.

This is negligence on the part of the district officials.

For a district leader to use the project money claiming they did not know what it was intended for, is not acceptable; these are grounds that breed fraud.

Do districts have budgets and annual plans for the activities? Besides why use the money without inquiring from the treasury or local government ministry for guidance on the issue?

Hiding behind ignorance should not be a defence. Action should be taken against the erring civil servants in this and other similar cases highlighted by the Ombudsman and the Office of the Auditor General.

Government needs to strengthen financial reporting and monitoring systems so that cases of corruption and misuse of public funds are detected early to avoid wastage and delays in implementation of government projects.

And, leaders should take responsibility for mistakes committed by the officials under their docket, while anyone found culpable should be punished without fear or favour. Otherwise, the fight against graft and mismanagement of public funds could end up in a wild goose chase.