Leaders code passed

PARLIAMENT yesterday passed the Leadership Code Bill 2002 which seeks to fight corruption and enforce ethics and integrity among leaders. Hamis Kaheru and Okello Jabweli report that MPs debated the Bill up to 7:30pm on Tuesday but failed to pass it after ethics and integrity state minister Miria Matembe proposed two amendments just before the House was passed it. Matembe opposed a clause which allowed leaders with interests in bidding companies to participate in deliberations for awarding contracts but not in voting or actual awarding of the contract.. Matembe was also unhappy about a clause which allowed public companies in which a leader, spouse or agent has interest to get a contract in a government body where such persons control or directly participates in awarding contracts.She wanted such companies barred from getting government contracts.But MPs, led by Nobert Mao (Gulu Municipality), amended the clause to refer to private companies or those in which the leader has a controlling interest (51% shares). Matembe withdrew the proposals yesterday and the Bill was passed without further debate.Under the new law, the Inspector General of Government (IGG) will now have powers to inspect bank accounts of leaders under investigation.While only leaders were required to declare their assets and liabilities, the new law requires the leader to declare assets and liabilities of his or her spouse, children and dependants as well.MPs led by Mao also battled successfully to make declarations public. Leaders who make false declarations will forfeit the excess wealth to the State.