The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Akumumanya, has urged local government leaders to take a leading role in combating corruption, saying the success of Uganda's anti-graft campaign depends largely on accountability and ethical leadership at the grassroots.
Speaking during the commemoration of African Anti-Corruption Day on Wednesday, held under the theme "No Sleep, No Corruption," Akumumanya said decentralised local governments are critical to ensuring public resources are managed transparently and services delivered efficiently.
He challenged senior human resource managers to strengthen supervision within local governments.
"One hundred and seventy-six managers should take charge of the Human Resource Officers under them," Akumumanya said, noting that the managers have a direct responsibility to guide and support heads of local governments in promoting integrity and accountability.
Uganda continues to struggle with corruption despite years of reforms and anti-graft campaigns. In Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, the country scored 24 out of 100, ranking 148th out of 182 countries, underscoring persistent concerns over public sector integrity.
The government has pledged to intensify the fight against corruption through its "No Sleep, No Corruption" campaign, promising tougher enforcement, stronger accountability and reforms aimed at improving transparency in public institutions.
Akumumanya reminded public officials that the country's legal framework already provides clear guidance on preventing corruption and called on them to uphold their constitutional and statutory obligations.
"Read and apply the laws and regulations in order to fight corruption," he said, citing the Public Service Act, Cap. 91, which outlines the responsibilities and conduct expected of public officers.
He also challenged Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) and Town Clerks to fully understand the purpose of decentralisation and faithfully execute the responsibilities entrusted to them.
"Why was power decentralised?" he asked, urging local government accounting officers to reflect on the objectives of decentralisation, which include bringing services closer to the people, improving accountability and enhancing public participation in governance.
According to Akumumanya, corruption can either be prevented or facilitated depending on how local leaders exercise the authority vested in them. He said decentralisation can only achieve its intended goals if those entrusted with public office demonstrate integrity and adhere to the law.
He further encouraged public officials to view the fight against corruption as more than the arrest and prosecution of offenders, saying it also requires ethical conduct, effective human resource management and strict compliance with established procedures.
His remarks come as government intensifies efforts to curb corruption across public institutions under the "No Sleep, No Corruption" campaign, with local governments expected to play a frontline role in safeguarding public funds and improving service delivery.
Akumumanya said strengthening accountability at the local level remains one of the most effective strategies for preventing corruption and ensuring decentralisation delivers meaningful benefits to Ugandans.