Release probe reports
Apr 20, 2003
DONORS HAVE asked Uganda to publish the findings of two reports: one on the junk choppers and the Justice Porter Commission of Inquiry report on the alleged involvement by Ugandan individuals in the plunder of DR Congo resources.
DONORS HAVE asked Uganda to publish the findings of two reports: one on the junk choppers and the Justice Porter Commission of Inquiry report on the alleged involvement by Ugandan individuals in the plunder of DR Congo resources.
Irish Ambassador Martin O’Fainin told a meeting at the launch of the 2003 national integrity survey report that such publication is in the interest of ensuring that accountability systems of the Government are efficient and transparent. It is the wish of not only donors but of most Ugandans that these reports be published.
The constitution grants Ugandans a right to access that information. Its publication will also serve to punish through public embarrassment persons mentioned. Equally important is the fact that taxpayers’ money and other national resources have been used in these probes. Ugandans are owed this information also the good name of the Republic of Uganda have been tarnished by the actions of a few individuals mentioned in the reports.
The Government needs also to realise that it undermines the dignity of the judiciary for judges to spend time chairing commission of inquiry only to end with reports and recommendations locked up in Ministers’ drawers.
Judges lend special authority and dignity to commissions of inquiry that command public respect. Public confidence in these judicial probes will erode unless government releases their reports and acts on their recommendations.
Parliament should also assert itself and order that the reports be tabled before it at an appropriate moment. It can also demand that reports are published and that action is taken. MPs have not been forthright on this. As peoples’ representatives, they must do better here. Let us have the reports released.
Irish Ambassador Martin O’Fainin told a meeting at the launch of the 2003 national integrity survey report that such publication is in the interest of ensuring that accountability systems of the Government are efficient and transparent. It is the wish of not only donors but of most Ugandans that these reports be published.
The constitution grants Ugandans a right to access that information. Its publication will also serve to punish through public embarrassment persons mentioned. Equally important is the fact that taxpayers’ money and other national resources have been used in these probes. Ugandans are owed this information also the good name of the Republic of Uganda have been tarnished by the actions of a few individuals mentioned in the reports.
The Government needs also to realise that it undermines the dignity of the judiciary for judges to spend time chairing commission of inquiry only to end with reports and recommendations locked up in Ministers’ drawers.
Judges lend special authority and dignity to commissions of inquiry that command public respect. Public confidence in these judicial probes will erode unless government releases their reports and acts on their recommendations.
Parliament should also assert itself and order that the reports be tabled before it at an appropriate moment. It can also demand that reports are published and that action is taken. MPs have not been forthright on this. As peoples’ representatives, they must do better here. Let us have the reports released.