Using technology innovations to fight corruption

By Phoebe Atukunda

TRANSPARENCY International’s 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index which ranks countries  based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived, ranked  Uganda at number 142 out of 175 countries with 1 being least corrupt and 175 most corrupt.

Over the years big corruption scandals have been featured in Uganda’s press. Corruption has cost tax payers billions of shillings which could have been used to improve health care, education, agriculture and infrastructure.

Although several campaigns have been launched by both government and private sector, to combat corruption, Information and Communication Technology has not been maximally utilised in these campaigns.

Technology innovations such as websites, SMS and social media can enhance government’s capacity to fight corruption in the following ways: Through automation which can reduce opportunities for corruption in repetitive operations, facilitate interaction among citizens as well as between citizens and their leaders, thus easing the flow of information from one source to another.

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other social media platforms have become an effective way to reach large audiences in real time. They have created interactive platforms for debate thus enabling citizens of different age groups, professions and political affiliation to engage in discussions on topical issues such as, corruption.

Social media can be utilized as a podium for reporting and publicising corruption cases. Take an example of the recent scandal of the house help who inflicted violence on a two year old child, the heart breaking footage of the incident went viral through social media and action was taken. This shows the potential technology innovations have in fighting corruption.

These technology innovations also facilitate dissemination of information about public goods and service standards which encourages transparency. Limited access to public information breeds corrupt tendencies. It undermines the capacity of citizens to hold duty bearers in public offices accountable for actions that are deemed corrupt.

Therefore ensuring that citizens have access to information is paramount. Access to information concerning public service delivery enables citizens to demand for accountability and better services as well as monitor public services and goods.

Technology innovations can support citizens to become informed and active by putting pressure on Government to meet set service delivery standards.

Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) has put in place an SMS Platform that enables citizens to communicate with their leaders about service delivery deficiencies in their communities.

The platform also enables leaders to provide real time feedback on issues raised by citizens, hence enabling leadership accountability and citizens’ participation.

Though not a stand-alone solution, the use of technology can foster efforts against corruption. However, this can only be effective with implementation of good plans and programs in place to fight corruption.

Technology has the power to reach the previously unreachable and to bring the voices of citizens closer to government which makes it a significant contributor to the process of ensuring that government best serves the interests of its citizens.