Makerere University lecturer Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo has been honoured with the 2024 Anti-Corruption Champions Award.
Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, recognised 10 remarkable individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the fight against corruption on December 9, 2024.
“This threat poses profound and far-reaching challenges to all of our societies. We are all the better for their extraordinary work and partnership in this fight,” said Blinken.
According to him, corruption erodes democratic governance, undermines trust in government, and hinders development, which is why the Department of State promotes integrity, transparency, and accountability as foreign policy priorities and core national security interests.
Since the UN Convention Against Corruption’s (UNCAC) adoption and U.S. ratification, the United States has been a leader in implementing international anti-corruption commitments.
The United States launched the Anti-Corruption Champions Award in 2021 to recognize individuals who have taken remarkable steps to counter corruption, and to demonstrate U.S. solidarity with these heroic partners.
“Today, on International Anti-Corruption Day, we recognize 10 Anti-Corruption Champions who have led or advocated for reforms and investigations that are bringing a more just and transparent world for their fellow citizens. We commend all those who fight for accountability, the rule of law, transparency, and press freedom,” noted Blinken.
This year’s honourees are Jorge Mora Cortes of Colombia, Matrika Dahal of Nepal, Altin Dumani of Albania, Srbuhi Galyan of Armenia, Carl Irani of Lebanon, Marr Nyang of The Gambia, Javier Enrique Caraballo Salazar of Panama, Didar Smagulov of Kazakhstan, Jimmy Spire Ssentongo of Uganda, and Sevinj Vagifgizi of Azerbaijan.
“We are honoured to work alongside champions like these to defeat corruption. We will continue working with partners to fulfil the vision of UNCAC and other international anti-corruption and good governance frameworks,” he added.
U.S. Department of State Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said the U.S. is imposing new sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals connected to corruption and human rights abuses.
“We remain committed to holding those who commit human rights abuses accountable for their actions,” stated Miller.
Jimmy Spire Ssentongo is a professor, academic, columnist, portraitist, author, human rights defender and editorial cartoonist.
He is an Associate professor of Ethics and Identity Studies at Uganda Martyrs University. He also teaches Ethics and Research methods at Makerere University.
