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Presidential aides tip youth on ethics, integrity
Isoke said corruption is not merely a criminal offence, but an attack on citizens' dignity because it diverts resources meant for public services.
(Credit: Rhyman Agaba)
By: Rhyman Agaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Young people should uphold ethics, integrity and responsible citizenship as they join the country's anti-corruption campaign, Presidential aides have advised, warning that corruption continues to undermine service delivery and national development.
Speaking as chief guest at the graduation of the first cohort of the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda's (ACCU's) online anti-corruption training programme at Hotel Africana today (July 23), the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, described corruption as a complex challenge that requires the participation of every Ugandan.
Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke addresses youth during an anti-corruption engagement at Hotel Africana on Friday. (Credit: Rhyman Agaba)
More than 200 young people aged between 18 and 35 enrolled for the four-week online programme, but following assessments based on attendance and performance, at least 50 participants qualified for certification.
"I have learned of the objectives of the training. This is the way to go. I am impressed by the bigger vision of establishing an Anti-Corruption Academy. I wish you the best in that endeavour," Isoke said, applauding ACCU's vision of establishing a national Anti-Corruption Academy.
Isoke said corruption is not merely a criminal offence, but an attack on citizens' dignity because it diverts resources meant for public services. "Every act of corruption creates a victim. When money meant for schools, hospitals or infrastructure projects is diverted, it slows national development," he said.
He noted that the Government has strengthened accountability institutions and embraced digital solutions to combat corruption, adding that President Yoweri Museveni consistently prioritises the fight against graft.
"The political will to fight corruption is enormous. There is no single speech the President makes without mentioning corruption," Isoke said.
On her part, the Special Presidential Assistant on Anti-Corruption, Rebecca Atwine, who also heads the Citizens Forum Against Corruption Uganda (CIFACU), challenged the graduates to exercise emotional discipline while carrying out anti-corruption monitoring. "The fight against corruption requires all hands on deck. I implore you to always reflect; let's not be like headless chicken. Emotional regulation is very crucial, especially when you are angry about social injustice."
Atwine urged the young anti-corruption ambassadors to pursue accountability through lawful means. "Corruption is a breach of boundaries, but we must use legitimate means to counter it," she said.
Citizens central to anti-graft campaign
ACCU executive director Marlon Agaba said the coalition introduced the virtual anti-corruption training after realising that many citizens were either excluded from anti-corruption efforts or unknowingly became participants in corrupt practices.
"We realised that citizens are not engaged so much in the fight against corruption and some are unknowingly getting involved in corruption. So, we came up with the concept of virtual training," Agaba said.
He said the programme aims at equipping citizens not only to report corruption, but also to support investigations, prosecution and recovery of stolen public assets.
"When people steal from public offices, they hide their wealth in communities through hotels, schools, land and other investments. It is the citizens who can identify these and report them," he said.
Agaba revealed that each graduate had developed an action plan to implement within their communities, with some already monitoring schools, public health facilities and the implementation of the Parish Development Model programme.
He said ACCU's long-term ambition is to establish Uganda's first fully fledged Anti-Corruption Academy, where civil servants, civil society organisations, the private sector and ordinary citizens can receive specialised integrity training. "We want a physical academy where people from across the country can come together, interact, share ideas and strengthen the fight against corruption," he said.
Atwine urged the young anti-corruption ambassadors to pursue accountability through lawful means. "Corruption is a breach of boundaries, but we must use legitimate means to counter it," she said.
Citizens central to anti-graft campaign
ACCU executive director Marlon Agaba said the coalition introduced the virtual anti-corruption training after realising that many citizens were either excluded from anti-corruption efforts or unknowingly became participants in corrupt practices.
Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda Executive Director Marlon Agaba addresses the inaugural cohort of over 50 youths from districts across the country who were certified in combating graft at Hotel Africana. The event was presided over by Brig. Gen Henry Isoke, head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit. (Credit: Rhyman Agaba)
"We realised that citizens are not engaged so much in the fight against corruption and some are unknowingly getting involved in corruption. So, we came up with the concept of virtual training," Agaba said.
He said the programme aims at equipping citizens not only to report corruption, but also to support investigations, prosecution and recovery of stolen public assets.
"When people steal from public offices, they hide their wealth in communities through hotels, schools, land and other investments. It is the citizens who can identify these and report them," he said.
Agaba revealed that each graduate had developed an action plan to implement within their communities, with some already monitoring schools, public health facilities and the implementation of the Parish Development Model programme.
He said ACCU's long-term ambition is to establish Uganda's first fully fledged Anti-Corruption Academy, where civil servants, civil society organisations, the private sector and ordinary citizens can receive specialised integrity training. "We want a physical academy where people from across the country can come together, interact, share ideas and strengthen the fight against corruption," he said.
Agaba said impunity had historically undermined anti-corruption efforts, but welcomed ongoing investigations into alleged corruption in Parliament, ministries and local governments. "I think that concept of people being untouchable is being challenged," he said.
Building integrity ambassadors
ACCU programmes manager Christine Byiringiro said the coalition leveraged digital technology to expand civic education and strengthen citizen participation in governance.
"We also have youth integrity clubs, so, we realised the need to leverage technology. That's how this concept came up," she said.
She explained that participants completed four training modules covering civic engagement, integrity, accountability and personal safety while undertaking anti-corruption monitoring.
The graduates pledged to serve as anti-corruption ambassadors by monitoring public schools, health facilities and government programmes within their communities and reporting suspected cases of fraud and abuse of public resources to authorities.
Participants came from districts, including Ibanda, Wakiso, Mubende, Madi-Okollo, Pallisa, Luwero, Tororo, Buliisa, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Mukono, Kaberamaido, Agago and Kabale.
Representatives from several accountability institutions and civil society organisations, including Transparency International Uganda also attended the ceremony.
ACCU, a coalition of organisations and individuals promoting integrity, transparency, accountability and responsible citizenship, is implementing the Civic Engagement for Accountability Project, which seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability among both state and non-state actors in Uganda.
Through the initiative, the coalition hopes to build a nationwide network of informed citizens capable of supporting the country's anti-corruption agenda.
Building integrity ambassadors
ACCU programmes manager Christine Byiringiro said the coalition leveraged digital technology to expand civic education and strengthen citizen participation in governance.
"We also have youth integrity clubs, so, we realised the need to leverage technology. That's how this concept came up," she said.
She explained that participants completed four training modules covering civic engagement, integrity, accountability and personal safety while undertaking anti-corruption monitoring.
The graduates pledged to serve as anti-corruption ambassadors by monitoring public schools, health facilities and government programmes within their communities and reporting suspected cases of fraud and abuse of public resources to authorities.
Participants came from districts, including Ibanda, Wakiso, Mubende, Madi-Okollo, Pallisa, Luwero, Tororo, Buliisa, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Mukono, Kaberamaido, Agago and Kabale.
Representatives from several accountability institutions and civil society organisations, including Transparency International Uganda also attended the ceremony.
ACCU, a coalition of organisations and individuals promoting integrity, transparency, accountability and responsible citizenship, is implementing the Civic Engagement for Accountability Project, which seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability among both state and non-state actors in Uganda.
Through the initiative, the coalition hopes to build a nationwide network of informed citizens capable of supporting the country's anti-corruption agenda.