Ugandans lose billions in bribes - study

Aug 29, 2014

The average value of a bribe paid by Ugandans in rural and urban areas is sh127, 000, according to findings of the 2013 national governance baseline survey.


By Pascal Kwesiga

KAMPALA - The average value of a bribe paid by Ugandans in rural and urban areas is sh127, 000, according to findings of the 2013 national governance baseline survey.

The study points out that Ugandans lose sh166b annually through paying bribes.

The findings of the 2013 national governance baseline survey by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) were based on previous Inspector General of Government IGG reports.

Men, according to the survey launched by finance minister Maria Kiwanuka on Tuesday, are more likely to offer bribes than women.

Dr. Ibrahim Kasirye, a principal research fellow at the Economic Policy Research Centre, said: “Approximately 10% of Ugandans who use government health facilities reported making payments beyond the normal charges.

“Urban residents were slightly more likely to pay bribes than their rural counterparts.”
 

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IGG Irene Mulyagonja (L) and finance minister Maria Kiwanuka (R) mingling. PHOTO/Enock Kakande


The report also showed that there was still a widespread perception that the police and the judiciary are the most corrupt public institutions in the country.

On the brighter side though, the fourth annual report on tracking corruption showed that the IGG saved money through blocking payment of salaries to people drawing salaries from more than one institution.

Part of the money was saved through stopping payments to companies contracted to execute public projects.

On her part, Minister Kiwanuka noted that the Anti-money Laundering Act would go a long way in fighting corruption.

 

 

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