Mbarara Leaders Link Low Civil Servant Salaries to Corruption
In a meeting with the Inspector General of Government (IGG) in Mbarara, Ugandan district and city leaders expressed concerns about the link between low salaries for civil servants and the prevalence of corruption.
District chairman Didas Tabaro argued that low salaries, around UGX 200,000, force civil servants to seek alternative means of survival, potentially leading to corruption. He questioned how someone earning such an amount can be expected to survive without engaging in "cheating the government."
Mwesigye, the Resident City Commissioner, raised concerns about the speed of some audits, implying potential shortcuts and bribery involving "brown envelopes." He questioned how an auditor could complete an audit in just 10 minutes and highlighted cases where individuals refusing such bribes have faced repercussions.
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The IGG, Betty Kamya, acknowledged being aware of the "brown envelope" issue in various offices and emphasized ongoing investigations to gather evidence and address the matter. This encounter highlights the complex issue of corruption in Uganda, with some local leaders suggesting that inadequate government compensation contributes to the problem. The IGG's investigation aims to shed light on potential misconduct within its own ranks and other government offices.
