📷 Chief Justice urges IGG to probe assets of wealthy individuals

By Michael Odeng  
     
KAMPALA - Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has urged Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Kamya to investigate the assets of wealthy individuals in a bid to combat corruption.

He has urged the inspectorate to expand its scope beyond public servants and audit wealthy individuals, predicting that many properties would be seized due to unexplained wealth.

Owiny-Dollo emphasised that corruption persists in Uganda because many non-corrupt individuals inadvertently glorify and admire those who engage in corrupt practices. (All Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Owiny-Dollo launching the declaration of income, assets, and liabilities by leaders for 2025 at the Supreme Court premises in Kampala.

“Investigate the sources of funding for luxurious properties,” the Chief Justice advised.
Owiny-Dollo was on March 3, 2025, launching the declaration of income, assets, and liabilities by leaders for 2025 at the Supreme Court premises in Kampala, noting that some politicians accumulate unexplained wealth during campaigns, which is often overlooked by the public instead of being addressed as corruption.

The Inspectorate of Goverment will receive declarations from leaders between March 1 and March 31, 2025.

Owiny-Dollo emphasised that corruption persists in Uganda because many non-corrupt individuals inadvertently glorify and admire those who engage in corrupt practices.
Owiny-Dollo described corruption as a “cancer” rather than just a problem.

Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Kamya observed that most Ugandan leaders only declare assets they can account for, which defeats the purpose of the exercise.

(L-R) Principal Judge Flavian Zeija, Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Ethics State Minister Rose Lilly Akello and IGG Beti Kamya Turyomwe.

He urged the public to join forces with the IGG to combat corruption, stressing that it is a collective responsibility.

The IGG observed that most Ugandan leaders only declare assets they can account for, which defeats the purpose of the exercise.

“The Leadership Code Act requires the Inspectorate of Government to verify declared assets. However, the verification process has focused on selected assets that can be accounted for, which has limited impact,” Kamya said.

The deputy Inspector general of government, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria.

Judiciary Permanent Secretary (PS) Pius Bigirimana.

She stated that in line with the Constitution’s intention to promote transparency and accountability, there is a need for public servants to conduct public business in a transparent manner.

Resistance to asset declaration publication

Kamya emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability by publishing declarations of income, assets, and liabilities.

She said ideally these declarations should be published in the Gazette and posted on the institution’s website. Kamya, however, said in Uganda, this practice has been met with resistance from some members of society.

Sarah Langa Siu (Judiciary chief registrar)

The Inspectorate of Goverment will receive declarations from leaders between March 1 and March 31, 2025.

Kamya stressed that these declarations are public documents, intended to empower citizens to exercise oversight and hold leaders accountable.

Why declare

Deputy IGG Dr Patricia Achan Okiria said declaration of income, assets and liabilities is a mechanism for accountability of leaders to the citizens.

She said the declarations are verified by the Inspectorate of Government to ascertain whether the leader’s assets are commensurate with their known income.

State Minister for Ethics and Integrity Rose Lilly Akello (left) interacts with the Deputy IGG Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria.

Okiria revealed that the leaders who are expected to declare their assets, income and liabilities, include the President, Vice President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney General, Member of Parliament, judicial officers, among others.

She said leaders are required to declare their income, assets and liabilities to the Inspectorate within three months after becoming a leader; and thereafter every two years, during the month of March.

Dr Pius Bigirimana, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, emphasised that having a clear work plan and activities is essential for transparency in resource allocation, as it enables tracking of how resources have been spent, ultimately helping to combat corruption.

How to submit

All declarations are filled and submitted electronically using the Inspectorate of Government’s Online Declaration System (IG-ODS). All leaders are given a unique number which identifies them to access and use the system. 

Below is a picture highlight as Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo launched the declaration of income, assets, and liabilities by leaders for 2025 at the Supreme Court premises in Kampala, all Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

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