12 dismissed in major corruption crackdown, sh2b recovered

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The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has dismissed 12 public officials and interdicted four others over the last two months, signalling an intensified crackdown on the systemic misuse of public funds. 

The disciplinary actions affected a wide range of civil servants, including accountants, teachers, nurses, parish chiefs and security personnel across the districts of Bukwo, Masaka, Sironko, Pallisa, Kibuku, and Kapchorwa. 

The sweep also resulted in the interdiction of several chief administrative officers (CAOs), the reprimand of three servants, and one demotion.

Inspector General of Government Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala announced these developments on March 5, 2026, at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala city.

Justice Naluzze, who assumed office in October 2025 following the conclusion of Beti Olive Kamya’s term, reported that her office successfully recovered Sh2 billion in misappropriated funds during her first two months, all of which has been returned to the public treasury.

"A total of 844,122,884 was paid to public officials who had been denied or delayed payment of their salaries, gratuity, and pensions, " she said.

According to IGG records, Sh9.9 billion has been earmarked for recovery overall. 

In addition to these recoveries, Sh89.8 million in unspent funds from the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) under the Moyo Regional Office was successfully refunded.

During this period, the Inspectorate registered 1,516 complaints and sanctioned 75% of those cases.

Field investigations

​Justice Naluzze highlighted recent spot checks at regional referral hospitals in Kabale, Mbarara, and Masaka. 

These visits led to three arrests and exposed critical service delivery gaps, including chronic overcrowding, equipment failure, drug shortages, and incidents of staff extorting patients.

Conversely, the IGG cited the reconstruction of a classroom block at Namwanzi Primary School in Kalungu District—prompted by an IGG inspection—as a primary example of how oversight leads to tangible community benefits.

​Challenges and the road ahead

​Despite these successes, Justice Naluzze warned that corruption is evolving from petty theft into sophisticated, syndicated crimes that have become dangerously normalised.

The Inspectorate continues to battle logistical hurdles, including an ageing vehicle fleet and a shortage of specialised forensic experts.

To counter these threats, the IGG is pivoting toward a prosecution-led investigation model with a specific focus on money laundering to ensure stronger deterrence.

​"This should serve as a warning to public officials: if we catch you, our first priority is prosecution," Justice Naluzze declared. 

The Inspectorate aims to raise its prosecution rate to 70% by the end of the 2025/2026 financial year. 

This strategy includes training 78 investigators in financial crimes and deepening collaborations with the CID, the Anti-Corruption Court, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.