Country wide search for integrity icons kicks off

Oct 16, 2014

The search is on for the country’s’ top integrity icons. The 80 lucky women and men who will exhibit a high level of integrity and moral character as selected by the community will be chosen from 10 districts across the country.

By Patrick Jaramogi

The search is on for the country’s’ top integrity icons. The 80 lucky women and men who will exhibit a high level of integrity and moral character as selected by the community will be chosen from 10 districts across the country.

The search kicked off last week in Bushenyi district.

Robert Ninyesiga the program officer Capacity Building at the Uganda National NGO Forum said the forum had decided, apart from castigating and shaming corrupt officials to recognize and appreciate those who are not corrupt.

“We thought it wise to appreciate those who are honest since shaming and punishing the corrupt seems not to work out well. We want the community to select those integrity icons they feel are worth recognizing,” said Ninyesiga.

He said the men and women to be honoured at a national event in December will include those who exhibit integrity characteristics like Generosity, Trustworthiness, Lovingness, Fairness, Caring and responsibility.

The search he said had already kicked off in the districts of Bushenyi, Masindi, Kalangala, Soroti, Pader, Kaberamaido, Luwero, Arua, Lira and Jinja.

“We are holding two meetings in each of the 10 districts where eight people will be nominated per meeting to bring the total number to 80 integrity icons,” said Ninyesiga.

John Bosco Bwojo a resident of Karujubu Division in Masindi Municipality said the search for the country’s integrity icons was long over due.

“Perhaps if the corrupt know that those who don’t steal government money can also be recognized, they may stop stealing and think twice,” he said.

Sarah Nancy Twesingoma said the search would instill a skill of discipline among locals.

Sophie Kange the Program coordinator Advocacy and Capacity building said the ultimate goal of the campaign is to build Integrity in public office; but also ensuring that Ugandans start to appreciate that Uganda should not be identified by only corruption but rather understand that there are many other persons who serve and live lives of Integrity.

“The advantage of this campaign is that it focuses on the good so that we expand the good in our society and crowd-out the bad. This campaign will go on in the communities so that they can continue integrity icons that is why at the end of the meetings we would make an action plan so as to take the campaign forward,” she said.

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