Parliamentary committee factors and performance of public accounts committee

Abstract

This study aimed to establish how parliamentary committee factors affect the performance of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. The specific objectives were to establish how committee composition influences the PAC performance of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, to investigate whether committee powers affect the PAC performance of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, and to investigate whether committee practices determine the PAC performance of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design, which was mixed in the approach. The study population comprised 63 people, and a sample of 58 respondents was selected using purposive and random sampling. Questioning surveys and interviews were conducted. To determine the relationship between committee factors and PAC performance, Pearson correlation and regression analysis were used. The study found Parliamentary Committee factors positively contributed to PAC performance. Hence, the study concluded that committee composition factors, committee powers, and committee practices enhances performance of PAC. This study recommends providing training and capacity-building programs for PAC members to enhance understanding of financial matters, auditing processes and seminars on topics relevant to committee’s work. There is also need to establish legal provisions to protect PAC members from political interference or pressure.