Auditor General Edward Akol has urged government institutions to lead by example in combating systemic corruption in Uganda, emphasizing the need for integrity and public trust.
Speaking at the 2024 Anti-Corruption Convention in Kampala, Akol called on public entities to serve as role models, inspiring citizens especially the youth to join efforts to eradicate corruption.
Akol noted that corruption remains entrenched within government systems, threatening democracy and public service delivery.
“It is incumbent upon us as government institutions to inspire the youth and be proud of the work we are doing. We need to fulfill our mandates with transparency and integrity,” he remarked.
Highlighting youth participation as indispensable, Akol revealed that the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has developed a citizen feedback platform to enhance accountability.
“With the OAG app, citizens can take photos, record audio, and report corruption issues directly to our office. We want the youth to embrace this tool and play an active role in exposing wrongdoing,” he said.
Akol also proposed integrating anti-corruption education into school curricula to instill values of integrity among young people.
Additionally, he advocated for increased internship opportunities within anti-corruption agencies to give youth hands-on exposure to governance and accountability processes.
Civil Society and Development Partner Perspectives
Civil society leaders and development partners at the convention echoed Akol’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for a collective approach to combating corruption.
Julius Mukunda, Executive Director of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), criticized unethical budgeting practices within government, describing them as “legalized corruption.”
Mukunda cited examples such as the misuse of supplementary budgets and fiscal indiscipline in projects like the Lubowa Hospital saga.
“Budgeting for corruption has been normalized, and this is a fight not for the weak,” he said.
Henry Muguzi, Executive Director of the Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), highlighted election financing as a major entry point for corruption.
“Campaign financing undermines democracy and erodes public trust. We must move from awareness to action to address this challenge,” he said.
Her Excellency Signe Winding Albjerg, Denmark’s Ambassador to Uganda, commended youth-led efforts to hold government accountable, emphasizing the importance of their involvement in the fight against corruption.
“We need strong leadership and collaboration between state and non-state actors to support the youth and challenge the status quo,” the ambassador noted.
The Way Forward
As part of Anti-Corruption Week, the convention served as a platform to renew commitments to transparency and good governance.
Stakeholders called for deliberate efforts to combat entrenched corruption and emphasized the role of youth in securing a corruption-free future for Uganda.
By aligning government and citizen efforts, strengthening anti-corruption agencies, and fostering youth engagement, stakeholders believe Uganda can take significant steps toward restoring public trust and safeguarding democracy.
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