New economic monitoring minister Alum pledges war on corruption
"Our people rightly expect that public resources are utilised efficiently, projects are implemented as planned, and services reach the intended citizens," Alum said, adding; "As the incoming minister, I pledge that together we shall achieve that."
Beatrice Akello, the predecessor handing over to Sandra Santa Alum, the incoming minister of State Office of the President economic planning. This was at the Office of the President on June 10, 2026. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)
KAMPALA - Sandra Santa Alum, the newly appointed Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, has pledged to aggressively tackle corruption and ensure value for money across all government programmes.
Alum made the pledge on Wednesday while receiving the instruments of office, marking her official entry into President Yoweri Museveni’s 2026–2031 Cabinet.
A member of the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Alum replaces Beatrice Akello Akori, who was transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister as Minister of State for Northern Uganda.
"I am grateful for the trust and confidence that His Excellency the President has placed in me," Alum said during the handover ceremony held at the Office of the Presidency on Wednesday evening.
Alum also recognised Haji Yunus Kakande, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, and the technical staff, noting that she looks forward to working closely with them to advance their shared vision.
Alum commended the outgoing minister for her dedicated service, adding: "Your tenure has contributed to strengthening accountability and improving government oversight of public programmes. I wish you success in your future assignments." (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)
Confronting corruption
According to Alum, teamwork will be critical to reversing the country's current corruption trends.
Uganda recently dropped seven places in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index compiled by Transparency International, falling to 148th out of 182 countries globally. The decline followed a slight dip in the national score from 26 to 25 out of 100.
"Our people rightly expect that public resources are utilised efficiently, projects are implemented as planned, and services reach the intended citizens," Alum said, adding; "As the incoming minister, I pledge that together we shall achieve that."
She urged the technical team to ensure that all government projects meet strict value-for-money requirements, maintain transparency, and deliver measurable progress.
The ceremony concluded with the official handover of the instruments of office, including a ministerial vehicle.
A fond farewell
Outgoing Minister Akori praised Alum as a people-centred leader, recalling a moment when Alum supported her despite their political differences.
"I remember when I was still a Resident District Commissioner (RDC), executing a risky task regarding land. The Lango Parliamentary Group wanted to swallow me alive, but she (Alum) came and supported me," Akori said. Akori added; "Even though she is in the opposition, she understood my role as the RDC."
Beatrice Akello outgoing minister of State Office of the President remarks. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)
Akori admitted that leaving the ministry was emotional. "Since I began my public service, I have been working under the Office of the President. It is very emotional to go elsewhere, but when duty calls, you must obey," she said, thanking the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, and Permanent Secretary Kakande for their unwavering support.
The mandate ahead
The Office of the President is mandated under the Constitution to support the President in executing executive functions efficiently. Within this office, the Minister of State for Economic Monitoring is tasked with providing overall direction on economic affairs, overseeing key government projects, and acting as a crucial link between the presidency and the private sector.
Akori briefed Alum on ongoing programmes across 19 sub-regions—including Acholi, Lango, West Nile, Bukedi, and Masaka—noting that a comprehensive handover report would guide her transition.
Akori expressed profound gratitude to President Museveni for the opportunity to serve.
"Who am I to be appointed a minister out of 45 million Ugandans?" she asked. She urged the technical team and Socio-Economic Monitoring and Research teams to give her successor the same overwhelming support.
"I pray my sister, Honorable Santa Alum, performs diligently," Akori added.