27 Feb 2025

President Advocate Duma Boko has announced that a long-awaited forensic audit of the government will commence within the next two weeks.
This promise was made during a parliamentary session in response to Bobirwa legislator Mr Taolo Lucas’ comments on the the budget speech..
While addressing concerns about the delay in initiating the audit, President Boko attributed the holdup to financial constraints. He emphasised the high costs associated with conducting a comprehensive forensic audit of government operations, calling it a necessary but expensive endeavour.
“The audit encompasses the entirety of government and is likely to cost millions,” he stated, clarifying that the delay was not due to reluctance on his part to pursue the audit.
“I want it to be done properly and in a manner that is not excessively costly for the government,” he added. To manage costs effectively, President Boko revealed that the government has engaged experts who have agreed to undertake the audit for a maximum fee of P65 million. He assured Parliament that while forensic audits tend to be expensive, they yield rewarding results. Citing a successful example from Angola, he noted that their government recovered a staggering US$30 billion through similar audits.
“We aim to recover what has been taken from the government. We want our funds to be used for their intended purposes,” the President said. He reiterated that the audit’s initiation was not meant to target anyone, insisting on its impartiality.
When questioned about the specific scope of the audit, President Boko indicated that experts would provide guidance on this matter, and auditors would be briefed accordingly.
The President also addressed proposals from some opposition members advocating for a Presidential Commission instead of the forensic audit. He expressed his disagreement, highlighting the powers vested in the President under the Commission of Enquiry Act, which allowed him to determine the nature of the commission, including whether it would be public.
“Under the Commission of Enquiry Act, I have the discretion to decide the commission’s transparency and its findings’ publication,” he explained.

Advocate Boko stressed that the forensic audit process must remain independent and should be conducted by an international and credible firm, free from government influence. ENDS