Non-compliance with ethics code blamed for falling public servant integrity

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The permanent secretary and secretary to the Treasury in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ramathan Ggoobi, has attributed the declining integrity of public servants to a lack of adherence to the Ethical Code of Conduct.

Ggoobi said this had been highlighted by a payroll audit conducted by the Auditor General, which identified several issues, including unauthorised recruitments, mischarges, payment of staff outside the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS)/Human Capital Management (HCM) systems, unauthorised loan deductions, payment of ghost staff, and delays in processing pensions and gratuities, among others.

He was addressing accounting officers on Wednesday during a meeting on budget execution for the financial year 2025/26, held at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

Ggoobi also noted that the budget process had been identified as one of the avenues through which corruption is increasing in government, citing practices referred to as budget games. He added that human resource officers, procurement officers and accountants had been singled out in this regard.

“Going forward, Ministry of Finance Budget Analysts have been tasked and told to deepen budget analysis and stamp out these budget games like 'Padding Play' where Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) request more than they require,” he added.

Head Of Public Services Nakyobe addressing Accounting Officers on Wednesday. (Courtesy)

Accounting Officers during the meeting. (Courtesy)

During the meeting, which was chaired by the Head of Public Service, Lucy Nakyobe, accounting officers, particularly from local governments, called for improved coordination with central government ministries in service delivery, as well as additional wage provisions to enable the recruitment of more staff.

For her part, Nakyobe emphasised that services must be delivered equitably and in a timely manner. She also implored accounting officers to champion the fight against corruption in their respective entities.

She further urged them to fast-track project implementation, streamline procurement processes and develop and publish service delivery standards.