The Ministry of Local Government is taking Jinja City staff through the change management process for the Simplified Computerised Accounting and Reporting Tool (SCART) as Government continues expanding digital financial management across Local Governments.
The process is being undertaken in Jinja North and Jinja South, with technical teams receiving practical support to understand and effectively integrate SCART into their day to day financial management. The Ministry has also provided laptops and Internet support to ease financial data entry, reporting and access to the system as staff transition to the new digital platform.
SCART is designed to standardise accounting, budgeting and financial reporting while improving visibility of revenues, expenditures and other public financial transactions at the Lower Local Government level.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Ben Kumumanya, Principal Inspector Ismail Ahmad said SCART will strengthen monitoring and supervision by making financial information more visible and supporting timely decision making.
He encouraged staff to embrace the transition, concentrate on understanding the system and make effective use of the training and technical support provided.
Jinja City Secretary for Finance, Annet Tusubira, welcomed the system, saying it will help the City track incomes, expenditures and activities while ensuring spending remains aligned with approved budgets. She noted that improved access to financial information will also enable officers to monitor activities across divisions without having to physically travel to establish what is happening.
Tusubira further observed that the system will strengthen record-keeping and financial controls, while helping reduce opportunities for fraud and improving the efficiency of both technical staff and leaders.
The Jinja engagement is part of the Ministry’s wider effort to transition Local Governments from fragmented manual financial processes to a more standardised, transparent and digitally supported system of financial management and reporting.
