IG rallies Ibanda district leaders, community to join corruption fight
“We are all affected by corruption in one way or another, which means it’s our business as Ugandans to join the fight to weed it out,” said Joseph Mutabazi, from the IG head office research and education department.
A resident speaks during the community baraza at Ishongororo town council. (Photo by Stephen Nuwagira)
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Didas Musoyiro, an LC II chairman in Ishongororo town council, Ibanda North County, was surprised when a resident who had brought a bank document for endorsement gave sh100,000 as a “token of appreciation.”
“I refused the money, but when I shared it with colleagues, they castigated me for being naïve, saying it was the ‘normal’ practice,” he says.
The revelation came at a public gathering where the Inspectorate of Government (IG) interacted with local communities in Mbarara in efforts to weed out corruption among the public, civil servants, and local leaders.
According to Sarah Magoola, IG Mbarara regional office head, personal integrity, transparency and accountability among local government employees and local council leaders was paramount in the fight against corruption.
She challenged local leaders to be at the forefront in the fight against corruption, explaining that the vice has hurt services and trust in government.
During an engagement with Ibanda district leaders and heads of department on September 23, Magoola called for more collaboration between the Inspectorate of Government (IG) and local governments, saying it was important for the IG to work with local governments in the fight against corruption.
The meeting at the District Council Hall sought to sensitise the participants as one of the ways to strengthen the fight against the vice in local governments.
“We are all affected by corruption in one way or another, which means it’s our business as Ugandans to join the fight to weed it out,” said Joseph Mutabazi, from the IG head office research and education department.
Herbert Happy Mayanja, the Ibanda district chairman, called for a holistic approach to the fight against corruption, saying local governments have been wrongly labelled as the most corrupt.
The district works secretary John Muhoozi was concerned that the inspectorate targets only the “small” fish, leaving the big officials free. This, he said, demoralises those willing to expose the corrupt big shots.
Angelina Kyomuhendo, the district secretary for social services, added that the lack of awareness was also hindering the fight against corruption, explaining that people at the grassroots were not sure what to do in case of corruption in the community.
Later on Wednesday evening, the IG team held a community baraza at Ishongororo town council in Ibanda North County, where members of the public expressed concern over the selling of jobs and salary disparities in civil service, among others.
Godfrey Byamukama, a councillor at Ishongororo town council, said the inequality in pay between top civil servants and lower cadres promotes corruption in local governments.
Parish chiefs, who are charged with tax collection and processing PDM cash for beneficiaries, among others, are paid sh450,000, which is too low. So, if we are to succeed in the corruption fight, such disparities should be addressed, he added.
Mugisha Mugumya, the LCI chairman of Kakinga B, said that job-seekers sell their land to buy jobs.
“This could be one of the reasons why they (parish chiefs and other civil servants) ask for bribes from citizens,” he added. He also said the local council leaders, who work day and night, but get only sh10,000 a month, was a form of corruption.
Magoola pledged to forward the residents’ concerns to the relevant government agencies. She called on the public to stop paying bribes and to report any suspected cases for investigation.