South Korea MP advises Uganda on corruption

By Raymond Baguma

The visiting former deputy Speaker of the Parliament of South Korean has advised Uganda to commit efforts to reduce corruption; and cautioned that the vice cannot be completely eliminated.

Dr. Dr. Chung Ui-Hwa, who is a member of the ruling Saenuri Party, is also a member of the foreign affairs committee of the South Korean Parliament.

Dr. Chung was recently on a visit to Uganda during which he toured projects supported by the South Korean government. He also met Ugandans that have trained at the Saemaulundong Training Center, to eradicate poverty through community development.

“In Korea we have problems of corruption even when we are a developed country. Uganda receives aid which is sent to Africa, but the change is very little. Corruption also limits development. Corruption can be decreased, but it does not disappear. But we have to try,” Chung said.

While offering the South Korean experience, Dr. Chung said his country had poor human development indicators with sanitation challenges, rural poverty, high rate of fertility, and low access to safe water.

Dr. Chung said that with good soils and favorable weather, Uganda has potential to develop, but there is need for Ugandans to cultivate a savings culture as well as focus on education in order to have a competent workforce.

He also cautioned that Ugandans should not wholesomely duplicate the South Korean development model; and advised that Uganda can adopt some practices, but formulate its own model of development.