Edward Akol sworn in as new Auditor General

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has challenged Edward Akol to sniff out corruption in the country as he officially swore him in as the new Auditor General at State House Entebbe on Monday, July 22.

The oath was administered by Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, the head of Public Service and secretary to the Cabinet.

Auditor General CPA Edward Akol taking Oath as the new Auditor General. (Courtesy)

(Courtesy)

Following the ceremony, President Museveni congratulated Akol and his family, urging him to vigilantly combat corruption.

Drawing from a Runyankole proverb, Museveni said, "The Banyankole say ‘Orurikwenda kwita embwa rugigara enyindo’, loosely translated as a dog, if it can no longer smell, then it will die, so Akol's job is to 'smell’ for Uganda.”

Museveni during the swearing of the Auditor General CPA Edward Akol.

(Courtesy)

Edward Akol being congratulated by Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, the head of Public Service and secretary to the Cabinet. This was during the swearing in at State House Entebbe. (Courtesy)

The President cautioned Akol about corrupt auditors, advising him not to depend solely on written evidence but rather use the public to gather information about corruption.

“About auditors who are given money and write false reports, this is easy to detect. Don’t just depend on the written reports, send people to the field to find out, how are my people doing because the public knows, rely on the written records but also on the field checks,” Museveni emphasised.

Akol was appointed by President Museveni and approved by Parliament on July 4, 2024, succeeding John Muwanga, who served for over 20 years.

Museveni in a group photo with members of Auditor General Edward Akol's family after the swearing in.

(Courtesy)

(Courtesy)

Akol has been with the Office of the Auditor General since August 1994, rising through the ranks from auditor to senior principal auditor, and then deputy auditor general.

Museveni sharing a group photo with members of Auditor General Edward Akol's family and Finance ministry officials after the swearing in at State House Entebbe. (Courtesy)

The ceremony was attended by finance minister Matia Kasaija, finance ministry permanent secretary Ramathan Ggoobi, Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige, and members of Akol's family.

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) is the supreme audit institution of Uganda. The provisions of the 1995 Constitution as amended under Article 163, set out the appointment, mandate, and removal of the Auditor General. 

The Auditor General is mandated to audit and report on all public accounts of Uganda and to further conduct financial and value for money audits in respect of any project involving public funds.