EC Bribed IGG, CMI Officials
Jan 10, 2003
ETHICS and integrity minister Miria Matembe has said the former Electoral Commission (EC) was so corrupt that its officials bribed investigators from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI),
ETHICS and integrity minister Miria Matembe has said the former Electoral Commission (EC) was so corrupt that its officials bribed investigators from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), reports Felix Osike.
Addressing the Electoral Commission top-level orientation workshop at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Thursday, Matembe told the newly- appointed commissioners led by Dr. Badru Kiggundu to maintain high moral standards in the execution of their work.
“The IGG sent people to investigate, they paid them off and there was no investigation. They were even paying CMI to kill the cases but I had informers who came out with a terrible report,†Matembe said.
She asked the new team to use the IGG report which led to the sacking of the previous commissioners led by Hajji Aziz Kasujja as an eye-opener.
She urged the commissioners to monitor the operations of the lower cadres, saying some of them were responsible for the financial mess in the commission.
She warned the new team against sexual harassment, insider dealing, nepotism and involving themselves in dealings which may lead to conflict of interest. She said the Government had the political will to fight corruption but was constrained by inadequate funds.
Matembe, who presented a paper on promoting ethics and integrity in election management, said moral standards had gone down to the level where Ugandans now glorify corrupt officials.
“The war against corruption cannot succeed when the community has accepted it as a way of life,†Matembe said.
She advised the commissioners to conduct their business in a transparent manner.
Matembe asked the commissioners to be courageous in the performance of their duties. “Do not fear even the president. If people disturb you, just step down and remain with your integrity,†Matembe said.
She asked the commissioners and other managers to be knowledgeable about the law.
“Government and the public expects a high degree of competence and you must desist from double standards,†she said.
Former EC boss Stephen Akabway gave tips on how to conduct a fraud-free election.
“Be in charge of the process, procedures and systems from the word go and up to the very last moment,†Akabway said.
He said the first challenge to the commission was to objectively internalise the political history of Uganda. The EC, he said, must be tuned to the current debate on the Movement system versus political pluralism as advocated for by the multiparty supporters.
Akabway also challenged Parliament to have a deeper understanding of the country’s laws on elections and referenda.
“There is no compromise on this. The laws must be finalised early enough to enable the EC put out systems and procedures,†he said.
He said the single most challenging area was how to address the inadequate civic education in the country.
Rev. Canon Grace Kaiso delivered a paper on the challenges and experiences of the National Election Monitoring Group in conducting free and fair elections.
Ends
Addressing the Electoral Commission top-level orientation workshop at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Thursday, Matembe told the newly- appointed commissioners led by Dr. Badru Kiggundu to maintain high moral standards in the execution of their work.
“The IGG sent people to investigate, they paid them off and there was no investigation. They were even paying CMI to kill the cases but I had informers who came out with a terrible report,†Matembe said.
She asked the new team to use the IGG report which led to the sacking of the previous commissioners led by Hajji Aziz Kasujja as an eye-opener.
She urged the commissioners to monitor the operations of the lower cadres, saying some of them were responsible for the financial mess in the commission.
She warned the new team against sexual harassment, insider dealing, nepotism and involving themselves in dealings which may lead to conflict of interest. She said the Government had the political will to fight corruption but was constrained by inadequate funds.
Matembe, who presented a paper on promoting ethics and integrity in election management, said moral standards had gone down to the level where Ugandans now glorify corrupt officials.
“The war against corruption cannot succeed when the community has accepted it as a way of life,†Matembe said.
She advised the commissioners to conduct their business in a transparent manner.
Matembe asked the commissioners to be courageous in the performance of their duties. “Do not fear even the president. If people disturb you, just step down and remain with your integrity,†Matembe said.
She asked the commissioners and other managers to be knowledgeable about the law.
“Government and the public expects a high degree of competence and you must desist from double standards,†she said.
Former EC boss Stephen Akabway gave tips on how to conduct a fraud-free election.
“Be in charge of the process, procedures and systems from the word go and up to the very last moment,†Akabway said.
He said the first challenge to the commission was to objectively internalise the political history of Uganda. The EC, he said, must be tuned to the current debate on the Movement system versus political pluralism as advocated for by the multiparty supporters.
Akabway also challenged Parliament to have a deeper understanding of the country’s laws on elections and referenda.
“There is no compromise on this. The laws must be finalised early enough to enable the EC put out systems and procedures,†he said.
He said the single most challenging area was how to address the inadequate civic education in the country.
Rev. Canon Grace Kaiso delivered a paper on the challenges and experiences of the National Election Monitoring Group in conducting free and fair elections.
Ends