Munyonyo, Kampala – December 10, 2024: Uganda joined the global commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day today, with a high-profile event held at the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo.
The event, themed “Promoting Effective Participation of the Youth in the War Against Corruption,” was marked by passionate calls for unity and resource mobilisation to combat corruption, which continues to plague the nation.
In her keynote address, Beti Kamya Turwomwe, Uganda’s Inspector General of Government (IGG), highlighted the staggering cost of corruption, estimated at over UGX 10 trillion annually, and urged the government to prioritise anti-corruption efforts in its budget allocations.
“Uganda is bleeding profusely from corruption,” Kamya said. “The cost of corruption goes beyond the traditional practices like bribery and embezzlement. We are also losing billions to cybercrime, transnational fraud, and private sector corruption, which remain largely unreported.”
Kamya cited a recent incident involving UGX 60 billion siphoned from the Bank of Uganda, describing it as part of a broader trend where public officials collude with criminals.
“This isn’t just a government problem. Corruption in the private sector makes Uganda an expensive and less competitive market,” she added.
Kamya appealed for increased funding for Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) such as the IGG’s office, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA).
“With a collective annual budget of UGX 320 billion, half of which is spent on statutory expenses, our resources are woefully inadequate,” she said. “How can we fight a monster like corruption without the ammunition to do so?”
Tackling corruption
The IGG unveiled a five-point strategy to tackle corruption, which includes public mobilisation, digitisation for efficiency, and strengthening local and international partnerships.
The campaign will also focus on mindset change, with practical examples like ensuring medicines reach hospitals and discouraging public displays of solidarity with corruption suspects.
“This is not just a battle for the ACAs or the government,” Kamya noted. “We need every Ugandan, especially the youth, to rise and say ‘No’ to corruption. Together, we can defeat this monster.”
Kamya revealed cases where fraudsters impersonated top government officials to fleece investors, leaving Uganda with lost opportunities for jobs, infrastructure, and tax revenue.
“We are determined to deal corruption a lethal blow,” Kamya declared. “With a united front, adequate resources, and an empowered population, we are confident of victory.”
The Auditor General, Mr. Edward Akol, presented a joint statement on behalf of the Anti-Corruption Agencies.
He emphasised the collaborative efforts being made to eliminate corruption including prosecutions and recovery of funds.
He highlighted significant milestones, including the prosecution of 136 officials, the recovery of UGX 67.18 billion, and improved public service delivery through resolving over 850 cases of maladministration.
Akol underscored efforts to engage youth with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) introducing guidelines to include women, youth, and persons with disabilities in public procurement.
He said lifestyle audits, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and digitisation initiatives are key strategies to counter the rising complexity of corruption in the country.
The Chairperson of the National Youth Council, Jacob Eyeru, highlighted young people as a key tool in the fight against corruption.
He, however, noted that for them to fully participate in the fight, government, particulary, Anti-Corruption Agencies need to make it easy for them to report corruption, make information available and accessible to the youth to be able to follow up on service delivery, Open governance and strengthened partnerships with all stakeholders.
He added that with these strategies among others, the youth will continue to fully engage in the fight against corruption.
The event concluded with the official launch of a national campaign aimed at mobilising Uganda’s youth to take an active role in the fight against corruption, symbolizing a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability.
