Corruption: Laws should be followed by action

Dec 10, 2018

ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY

Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability.

It attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for existing is the soliciting of bribes. Economic development is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses in the country often fi nd it impossible to overcome the start-up costs required because of corruption.

It is on this basis that the International Anti-Corruption Day was launched on October 9, 2003, by the Assembly of the United Nations, to raise awareness on corruption and highlight the role of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Uganda became a signatory to this Convention on December 9, 2003 and was ratified on September 9, 2004.

The problem
Every year, about $1 trillion (sh3,734 trillion) is paid in bribes, while an estimated $2.6 trillion (about sh9,702 trillion) is stolen annually through corruption, which is the equivalent of more than 5% of the global Gross Domestic Product.

According to the United Nations Development Programme, funds lost to corruption are an estimated 10 times the amount of offi cial development assistance. In Uganda, the 2015 report of Parliament estimates that the country has lost more than sh24 trillion to corruption in the last 10 years.

The picture is not any different from last year's Transparency International survey, which ranked Uganda as the 25th most corrupt among the world's 167 countries. The National Service Delivery Survey 2015 by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, People and Corruption, put the Uganda Police at 63% as far as bribery, fraud and extortion are concerned.

The force is closely followed by tax offi cials at 48%, the Judiciary at 45%, public sector at 44% and business executives at 40%. Corruption is a serious problem that can undermine social and economic development in societies, regions and countries. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY

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