Uganda's Public officers given one month to declare wealth or face prosecution

KAMPALA - All public servants in Uganda have been given until April 30 this year to declare their income, assets and liabilities lest they face prosecution for breaching the Leadership Code Act.

This was announced by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) Aisha Naluzze Batala at the commencement of the exercise in an event held at the office of the President's Conference Hall in Kampala on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

“This exercise is not merely a statutory requirement; it is a cornerstone of good governance. I therefore call upon the public officers to embrace this exercise with honesty and integrity,” Naluzze said.

Underscoring the importance of declaring wealth by public servants, Naluzze remarked that when public officers are aware that their financial status is subject to scrutiny, they are more likely to act with integrity and make decisions in public interest, in addition to avoiding practices such as bribery and undue delays that undermine service delivery.

“By disclosing financial interests, public officers are better positioned to avoid situations where personal gain could compromise their official duties,” Naluzze said.

Launching April as the declaration period of wealth for public officers, Public Service Minister Muruli Mukasa revealed that the institution’s next five-year strategic plan is anchored on the principles of service delivery excellence.

“We are rolling out comprehensive reforms to ensure that every coin of the taxpayers’ money translates into tangible services,” Muruli said.

Using a Luganda proverb of Akatali kabbe, olya amagumba osuula mu mulyango, literally meaning that if you are not a thief, whenever you eat meat, openly dispose of the bones without fear, Muruli urged the public servants to declare their wealth to set themselves free.

Hon. Wilson Muruli Mukasa, the Minister of Public Service, cutting a ribbon to symbolically launch the April 2026 Declaration period and the User Guide to the Leadership Code Act. Looking on is Dr. Roselyn Karugonjo Segawa (in black dress), the chairperson, Leadership Code Tribunal; Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala (maroon veil), the Inspector General of Government (IGG); Lucy Nakyobe (grey coat), the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet; and Didas Bakunzi (extreme Right) of the Leadership Code Tribunal. This took place at the Office of the President in Kampala City on April 1, 2026. (Credit: Lawrence Mulondo)

“This is not merely a statutory exercise; it is a form of accountability in the public service. People used to pay the poll tax, and if you failed to pay, nobody could trust you. Therefore, declaring your wealth is a bill of integrity. I therefore urge all public officers to comply without fail,” Muruli said.

Muruli said declaration of wealth is mandatory. “Even if there is nothing for you to declare or you have very little, declare it by filling the form because non-disclosure is a breach of both the Leadership Code Act and the Public Service Standing Orders,” Muruli said.

Muruli tasked the permanent secretaries of the different government ministries, departments and agencies to encourage all their staffers to embrace the exercise.
Drawing from IG statistics that indicate that 10% of the leaders never declared their wealth, Muruli implored the IGG justice Aisha Naluzze Batala and her team to investigate the matter.

“We need to know why these people never declared their wealth and get solutions. You may find some failed to log in to the system, and others were abroad. So, we need to study this,” Muruli said.

Rose Lilly Akello, the state minister for ethics and integrity, says that mandatory declaration of wealth by public officers is one of the ways of anchoring integrity in the public service. “I call upon all public officers to approach this exercise with sincerity,” Akello said.

Dr Roselyn Karugonjo, the chairperson of the Leadership Code Tribunal implored the public officers to comply to avoid being prosecuted. She said the tribunal is more than ready to deal with the errant officers.

Public officers are required to declare their income, assets and liabilities annually, including gifts that may compromise them and failure of which could lead to either reprimand, demotion or dismissal for breaching the code.