Finance Ministry moves to strengthen public financial management through OTIMS

By Our Reporter

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening information systems, building users’ capacity and improving efficiency and accountability in public financial management through the enhanced Online Transfer Information Management System (OTIMS).

The ministry’s Acting Commissioner for Budget Policy and Evaluation, Ali Tagoole, made the remarks while opening a training session for selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the use of OTIMS at Mestil Hotel in Kampala.

The system supports the ministry’s processes for managing transfers to local governments, including preparing and managing indicative planning figures (IPFs), updating beneficiary information and cost centres, and generating quarterly expenditure limits.

Tagoole said feedback from participating institutions would be critical in ensuring that the enhanced system responds to users’ needs and remains practical, user-friendly and aligned with the ministry’s operations.

He noted that improvements had been made to the system’s security and database, while Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) had also been integrated into the platform.

The enhancements are intended to improve the management of transfers to local governments and strengthen the efficiency of public financial management processes.

The training brings together selected MDAs, including the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Local Government, KCCA, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Ministry of Education and Sports, and Ministry of Health.

Through the training and system improvements, the ministry aims to strengthen users’ capacity to operate OTIMS, improve the management of government transfers and enhance accountability in the use of public resources.