MPs urged to pass graft Bill
Sep 18, 2008
Ethics and integrity minister Dr. James Nsaba Buturo has asked MPs to quickly enact the Anti-Corruption Bill into law.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
Ethics and integrity minister Dr. James Nsaba Buturo has asked MPs to quickly enact the Anti-Corruption Bill into law.
Buturo was yesterday introducing the Bill before the committee on presidential affairs, which is tasked to scrutinise it.
“I appeal to you to pass this Bill immediately to fight the enemy within the society. Make sure you tighten this Bill to a degree which can make thieves in this county tremble,†Buturo said.
The Bill seeks to prevent corruption in both the public and private sector and to give special investigation powers to the Inspector General of Government and the Director of Public Prosecution.
It also seeks to protect witnesses and information received. The Bill, if passed will replace the Prevention of Corruption Act and amend provisions in the Penal Code Act and the Leadership Code Act.
Margaret Muhanga (NRM) noted that all civil servants should be required to declare their wealth, if the country is to fight corruption, adding that if they decline to do so, their property should be confiscated.
“It should not only be leaders and top managers, but every body,†Muhanga said.
Louis Opange (Independent) asked the Government to create a special branch to handle corruption cases, adding that the Police Force handling the cases was also perceived to be corrupt.
“The corruption enforcement mechanisms are not effective. We need a special branch to do the investigations. This branch should be facilitated so that they can investigate corruption cases very fast,†Opange said.
The committee chairman, Gerald Menhya, said the committee would embark on consultation meetings to enact the Bill fast.
Fred Badda noted that the public needed to be sensitised about the Information Act, if the Bill was to work, adding that district officials were still concealing information from the public.
Margaret Angufilu (Independent) said people should be educated and encouraged to provide information on corruption.
Ethics and integrity minister Dr. James Nsaba Buturo has asked MPs to quickly enact the Anti-Corruption Bill into law.
Buturo was yesterday introducing the Bill before the committee on presidential affairs, which is tasked to scrutinise it.
“I appeal to you to pass this Bill immediately to fight the enemy within the society. Make sure you tighten this Bill to a degree which can make thieves in this county tremble,†Buturo said.
The Bill seeks to prevent corruption in both the public and private sector and to give special investigation powers to the Inspector General of Government and the Director of Public Prosecution.
It also seeks to protect witnesses and information received. The Bill, if passed will replace the Prevention of Corruption Act and amend provisions in the Penal Code Act and the Leadership Code Act.
Margaret Muhanga (NRM) noted that all civil servants should be required to declare their wealth, if the country is to fight corruption, adding that if they decline to do so, their property should be confiscated.
“It should not only be leaders and top managers, but every body,†Muhanga said.
Louis Opange (Independent) asked the Government to create a special branch to handle corruption cases, adding that the Police Force handling the cases was also perceived to be corrupt.
“The corruption enforcement mechanisms are not effective. We need a special branch to do the investigations. This branch should be facilitated so that they can investigate corruption cases very fast,†Opange said.
The committee chairman, Gerald Menhya, said the committee would embark on consultation meetings to enact the Bill fast.
Fred Badda noted that the public needed to be sensitised about the Information Act, if the Bill was to work, adding that district officials were still concealing information from the public.
Margaret Angufilu (Independent) said people should be educated and encouraged to provide information on corruption.