Uganda needs anti-corruption laws
Sep 04, 2008
Uganda needs a law to protect those who report corrupt tendencies (whistle blowers) from retaliation or intimidation.
By Josephine Maseruka
Uganda needs a law to protect those who report corrupt tendencies (whistle blowers) from retaliation or intimidation.
“The whistle-blower/ witness protection legislation should include provisions that witnesses may not be terminated, disciplined or subjected to negative job-related consequences for reporting corruption. Witnesses must also be protected when absent from work due to their cooperation in Police investigations or when they give evidence in court,†Beth Sreenan, a legal adviser in the US Department of Justice, advised.
Sreenan was reviewing the Anti-Corruption Bill 2008 at a workshop at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Wednesday.
The workshop was organised by the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the UNDP.
Sreenan noted that while the Bill provides for limited disclosure of informer information, it did not provide for the protection of witnesses, experts, victims, the Police, prosecutors and judges.
“The successful investigation and prosecution of public corruption cases are enhanced by protection of whistle-blowers. Civilians must have incentives and protection if they are to provide evidence against corruption,†she said.
Sreenan also called for general money laundering and asset forfeiture laws that not only criminalise the conversion of illegal proceeds into legitimate assets, but also allow the seizure of these assets or substitute assets.
Uganda needs a law to protect those who report corrupt tendencies (whistle blowers) from retaliation or intimidation.
“The whistle-blower/ witness protection legislation should include provisions that witnesses may not be terminated, disciplined or subjected to negative job-related consequences for reporting corruption. Witnesses must also be protected when absent from work due to their cooperation in Police investigations or when they give evidence in court,†Beth Sreenan, a legal adviser in the US Department of Justice, advised.
Sreenan was reviewing the Anti-Corruption Bill 2008 at a workshop at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Wednesday.
The workshop was organised by the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the UNDP.
Sreenan noted that while the Bill provides for limited disclosure of informer information, it did not provide for the protection of witnesses, experts, victims, the Police, prosecutors and judges.
“The successful investigation and prosecution of public corruption cases are enhanced by protection of whistle-blowers. Civilians must have incentives and protection if they are to provide evidence against corruption,†she said.
Sreenan also called for general money laundering and asset forfeiture laws that not only criminalise the conversion of illegal proceeds into legitimate assets, but also allow the seizure of these assets or substitute assets.