Leaders must declare their wealth â€" World Bank

UGANDA might lose a US$50m World Bank funding towards budget support unless top government officials declare their wealth immediately.Yunusu Abbey quotes high level sources as saying the Government had assured the bank that by April 15, all leaders, including ministers, would have declared their wealth to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) in compliance with the Leadership Code. The leaders are required to fill forms detailing their income, assets and liabilities.But on March 26, the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, wrote to all directors in ministries/departments, saying the IGG had informed him that by March 25, only nine directors had complied. The letter was copied to President Yoweri Museveni among others.Nsibambi said, “Government accepted a conditionality that by April1 15, 2002 all ministers, presidential advisers, permanent secretaries, heads of department in ministries and Uganda Revenue Authority officials should have submitted to the IGG their statements of income, assets and liabilities. “Failure to do so by April 15, 2002 will mean that Uganda will forego US$50m part of the promised budget funding by the World Bank.”Nsibambi said Ms Joan Blandina Nshakira, ministry of tourism, trade and industry, Cecil Rajana, executive director of Reformed Central Tender Board, finance ministry and Gol Bwoch, a director in the finance ministry, had complied with the directive.Others are Justin Okullo Murra, director ethics and integrity, Dr. Joseph Herman Kyabagu, a director in the health ministry, Ashaba Ahebwa, director ethics and integrity and Mary Muduli, director/Ag. Secretary to the Treasury. Also listed in Nsibambi’s letter is Mr. Paul Kabasa, deputy director ethics and integrity and Dr. Samuel Zaramba, a director in the health ministry.In the letter, Nsibambi directed all concerned who had not yet declared their wealth to do so by April 3, 2002.Top government officials including finance minister, Gerald Ssendaula, could not be reached for comment last evening. But sources said Nsibambi’s March 26 letter was received in most ministries only last week.On Wednesday, Florence Mugasha, Public Service Commission chief and Secretary to Cabinet, wrote to the deputy head of Public Service/Head of Administrative Reform and all permanent secretaries over the issue.Mugasha reminded the officials to declare their assets. “Make sure that all your heads of department comply. Treat as immediate,” she said. The circular reached some ministries only yesterday. By January this year, of 6,780 forms which the IGG distributed to the concerned officers, only about 25% responded. Only two out of 47 judges filled and returned the forms. The IGG said 16 out of 62 ministers, 28 out of 219 MPs and seven out of 158 URA officials had responded.The long list includes the President, vice-president, premier, deputy prime ministers, deputies, ministers, judges, magistrates, Movement chairman, the vice-chairman, state ministers, permanent secretaries, under secretaries and directors.Others are the Police chief, his deputy, the Prisons chief, resident district commissioners and their deputies, commissioners, presidential aides, ambassadors and high commissioners.