IGG Mwondha slams anti-corruption Bill
Sep 03, 2008
THE Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Faith Mwondha, has opposed the Anti Corruption Bill, saying several clauses are inconsistent with the Constitution.
By Josephine Maseruka
THE Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Faith Mwondha, has opposed the Anti Corruption Bill, saying several clauses are inconsistent with the Constitution.
She regretted that the Bill tries to make the IGG’s work similar to that of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“The DPP does not have the same powers as the IGG. Any law, purporting to enhance the effectiveness of combating corruption, should not try to amend the Constitution arbitrarily and illegally as the intended provision wouldn’t stand in law,†Mwondha said.
“Therefore, the clauses of the Bill, which intend to demean the powers of the IGG, would be unconstitutional, inconsistent and void.â€
Mwondha said whereas her department had powers to investigate, arrest, prosecute cases involving corruption, abuse of authority or public office, the DPP didn’t have direct investigative powers.
“The IGG, therefore, is the constitutional anti-corruption authority mandated to combat corruption, promote rule of law and administrative justice and to enforce the leadership code of conduct among other functions.â€
Her remarks were contained in a paper titled ‘Inspectorate of Government’s perspective on the Anti corruption Bill, 2008’.
It was read by an official of the Uganda Human rights Commission during a workshop sponsored by UNDP at Hotel Africana in Kampala yesterday.
The commission will use the deliberations of over the 50 participants, who included representatives of non-governmental organisations, and those of the ministries, to improve its position paper to Parliament.
However, some participants were angered by Mwondha’s remarks, arguing that she was misleading the public to think that fighting corruption was a preserve of her office.
Benson Obua-Ogwal (UPC) said: “I’ll tread carefully on the IGG’s comments. As Parliament, we have had running battles but I would say that if there are conflicting roles in the Bill, they can be harmonised. This is not about turfs or territories. The fight against corruption involves everyone.’
Commissioner Constantine Karusoke argued: “What I know is that an Act of Parliament can be amended.â€
The participants said the Bill was a big step towards strengthening the fight against corruption, especially with a provision of imprisoning the perpetuators up to 10 years.
THE Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Faith Mwondha, has opposed the Anti Corruption Bill, saying several clauses are inconsistent with the Constitution.
She regretted that the Bill tries to make the IGG’s work similar to that of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“The DPP does not have the same powers as the IGG. Any law, purporting to enhance the effectiveness of combating corruption, should not try to amend the Constitution arbitrarily and illegally as the intended provision wouldn’t stand in law,†Mwondha said.
“Therefore, the clauses of the Bill, which intend to demean the powers of the IGG, would be unconstitutional, inconsistent and void.â€
Mwondha said whereas her department had powers to investigate, arrest, prosecute cases involving corruption, abuse of authority or public office, the DPP didn’t have direct investigative powers.
“The IGG, therefore, is the constitutional anti-corruption authority mandated to combat corruption, promote rule of law and administrative justice and to enforce the leadership code of conduct among other functions.â€
Her remarks were contained in a paper titled ‘Inspectorate of Government’s perspective on the Anti corruption Bill, 2008’.
It was read by an official of the Uganda Human rights Commission during a workshop sponsored by UNDP at Hotel Africana in Kampala yesterday.
The commission will use the deliberations of over the 50 participants, who included representatives of non-governmental organisations, and those of the ministries, to improve its position paper to Parliament.
However, some participants were angered by Mwondha’s remarks, arguing that she was misleading the public to think that fighting corruption was a preserve of her office.
Benson Obua-Ogwal (UPC) said: “I’ll tread carefully on the IGG’s comments. As Parliament, we have had running battles but I would say that if there are conflicting roles in the Bill, they can be harmonised. This is not about turfs or territories. The fight against corruption involves everyone.’
Commissioner Constantine Karusoke argued: “What I know is that an Act of Parliament can be amended.â€
The participants said the Bill was a big step towards strengthening the fight against corruption, especially with a provision of imprisoning the perpetuators up to 10 years.