IGG wants sh3b to investigate syndicated corruption

The Inspector General of Government  (IGG) Justice Irene Mulyagonja  has tabled before the Legal and Parliament affairs committee, a sh3b proposal salary structure  for staff establishment and recruitment of a specialized unit to investigate and prosecute syndicated corruption cases.

"The IGG is in the process of establishing a specialized and skilled unit to investigate and prosecute grand and syndicated corruption cases. The new initiative requires additional staff to man the new unit without affecting the existing operations," Mulyagonja said.

She said the recruitment was targeting critical cadres  and the 38 vacant posts includes:   12 senior inspectorate officers, 9 inspector officers, 5 senior principal inspectorate officers, 4 principal inspectorate officers and  Information Technology (IT) staff to fight corruption.

According to Mulyagonja, corrupt individuals in Uganda are frustrating several corruption-related cases, Syndicated corruption.

"It encompasses elaborate schemes devised to solicit and receive bribes."

According to the Mulyagonja, corruption nowadays is executed in such a manner that it's not only one person who steals, but a chain; hence it's hard to prosecute.

"It's no longer wise to steal alone. The chain is too long from the people who actually steal to even people who work in court; so, you find that the case collapses because people want to cover up for one another," Mulyagonja explained.

"Our capacity to fight corruption is constrained by the inadequate human and financial resources. The existing strength of technical staff does not match the growing workload arising from the number of corruption and maladministration cases reported," She added.

"In the financial year 2016/2017 the IGG proposes to recruit 38 inspectorate officials and support staff. The estimated cost of recruitment is sh3b; of this sh 2.1b is allocated to wages, while sh 9bn is for non-wages. "Mulyagonja said.

Mulyagonja and senior officials from the directorate appeared before the committee on Friday  to discuss the policy statement for the financial year 2016/17.

Different ministries, departments and agencies are presenting their policy statements before the respective committees at Parliament as the country gets close to June when the final budget will be read.

The institution needs sh 39.51bn for the financial year 2016/17 for various activities." Mulyagonja told the committee.

The committee chairperson who is also the Kajara County MP Stephen Tashobya   said  if the inspectorate  is understaffed, it affects their working morale, and may  promote corruption in the institutions, the IGG   works with including the police."

The committee also promised to discuss the issue with the Prime minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, to treat the recruitment   as a necessity.