We need tougher laws to fight corruption
Mar 22, 2011
EDITOR: Corruption in Uganda has become widespread yet its fight is becoming more elusive. The vice has robbed citizens of their potential and aspirations for the future.
EDITOR: Corruption in Uganda has become widespread yet its fight is becoming more elusive. The vice has robbed citizens of their potential and aspirations for the future.
Civil society organisations and concerned Ugandan citizens have complemented the Government's efforts to corruption, but the Government’s failure to clamp hard, especially in implementation of anti-graft laws, is drowning this positive effort.
This is visible in the statistics released by Transparency International. The corruption perception index released in 2009/2010 ranked Uganda number 130 out of 180 countries. The ranking was based on perceived levels of corruption in the public sector.
Several institutions, including the Inspectorate of Government, Auditor General's office, Public Accounts Committee and Anti-corruption Court have been at the forefront of fighting corruption. President Yoweri Museveni in his victory speech at Kololo last, month vowed to fight corruption.
It is about time tough talk was accompanied by tough action. This should come from the President reprimanding government officials found guilty of corruption- to amending laws denying graft suspects and convicts bail- even upon appeal.
And what do we make of the endless commissions of inquiry whose reports have gathered dust on the shelves? The war on corruption will be won or lost ultimately depending on the President's actions.
The public is concerned that the institutions mandated to fight corruption are instead perceived to be among the most corrupt. Ultimately, the sufferers of corruption are the majority Ugandans the Government strives to serve. The fight against corruption requires transparency, accountability and political commitment.
Ambrose Muhoozi
Kampala
Civil society organisations and concerned Ugandan citizens have complemented the Government's efforts to corruption, but the Government’s failure to clamp hard, especially in implementation of anti-graft laws, is drowning this positive effort.
This is visible in the statistics released by Transparency International. The corruption perception index released in 2009/2010 ranked Uganda number 130 out of 180 countries. The ranking was based on perceived levels of corruption in the public sector.
Several institutions, including the Inspectorate of Government, Auditor General's office, Public Accounts Committee and Anti-corruption Court have been at the forefront of fighting corruption. President Yoweri Museveni in his victory speech at Kololo last, month vowed to fight corruption.
It is about time tough talk was accompanied by tough action. This should come from the President reprimanding government officials found guilty of corruption- to amending laws denying graft suspects and convicts bail- even upon appeal.
And what do we make of the endless commissions of inquiry whose reports have gathered dust on the shelves? The war on corruption will be won or lost ultimately depending on the President's actions.
The public is concerned that the institutions mandated to fight corruption are instead perceived to be among the most corrupt. Ultimately, the sufferers of corruption are the majority Ugandans the Government strives to serve. The fight against corruption requires transparency, accountability and political commitment.
Ambrose Muhoozi
Kampala