In a bold move, President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to tackle corruption head-on, estimating that Uganda loses Ug.sh 9.7 trillion annually due to corrupt practices. Addressing top government officials at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, Museveni acknowledged that corruption has become a significant obstacle to social economic transformation.
The President outlined a two-pronged approach to combat corruption:
- Strengthening institutions: Museveni plans to enhance the capacity of anti-corruption agencies, including the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, tax investigation Unit, and accountancy and audit unit.
- Engaging citizens: He encouraged citizens to report corruption incidents and promised to link directly with victims of corruption.
Museveni emphasized that corruption is not limited to government officials but also exists in private companies, urging employers to blacklist employees who steal from them.
The President’s plan includes:
- Holding accounting officers responsible for corruption
- Establishing a tax investigation Unit and an accountancy and audit unit
- Linking directly with victims of corruption
- Encouraging citizens to report corruption incidents
- Blacklisting corrupt employees in private companies
Museveni’s commitment to fighting corruption has been welcomed by many, but opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye has criticized the President’s past record on corruption, alleging that he has defended corrupt individuals since his bush war days. The effectiveness of Museveni’s plan remains to be seen, but it marks a significant step towards addressing the pervasive corruption in Uganda.
