Voters asked to resist bribing, corrupt politicians

Dec 02, 2020

Elections is the only opportunity for Ugandans (voters) to vote leaders with integrity.

#UGDecides2021|VOTERS|CORRUPTION 

KAMPALA - Ugandans have been urged to shun politicians who are using bribes to win votes, ahead of the forthcoming elections in 2021.

The ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) Country Director, Xavier Ejoyi says this is the time for Ugandans to use their mandate to scrutinise the leaders they are voting to lead them in the next five years.

"Elections is the only opportunity for Ugandans (voters) to vote leaders with integrity. This is the time Ugandans have to choose leaders ready to serve them," he said.

He made the remarks in an interview with the New Vision, during the second day of the 9th Anti-Corruption Convention at Royal Suites Bugolobi, in Kampala.

He stressed that Ugandans risk paying a high price when they continue voting for corrupt officials.

The event under theme: "Promoting Social Accountability through Active Citizenry" was organised by AAIU together with Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU), Transparency International Uganda (TIU), and Uganda Debt Network (UDN), with support from the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF).

"Ugandans are continuing to suffer because of poor service delivery. Corruption has become endemic because it is engraved in public life. We lose billions of money annually meant to improve services for the people," he added.

According to the East African Bribery Index (2017), Uganda is positioned as the second most corrupt country in the East African region with excessive corruption in police and the judiciary.

The Global Financial Integrity Report 2018, indicates that Uganda loses at least $1bn annually in corruption related to tax evasion and money laundering.

Ejoyi said the convention is aimed at identifying gaps and encouraging citizens to take center stage in the fight against corruption.

"We want citizens to play their role in fighting corruption within their areas. CSOs help government to create awareness of their role. To understand their role, how to engage their leaders and where to file their complaints," he added.

He stressed that because of the awareness and sensitization carried out by CSOs, today many Ugandans know what to do, a reason why more cases are reported.

"We want corruption to be a risky venture in our communities," Ejoyi said.

He also stressed that there is a need to amend the Leadership Code Act to compel the children and spouses of public officers to declare their wealth.

"This helps us to know how some of these officials accumulated wealth in short time. But many conceal their wealth in their children or spouses' names. Without this provision, it's very hard to trace their wealth," he added.

The ACCU Executive Director, Cissy Kagaba said Ugandans have the power to choose leaders with integrity during this election period.

"That's why we organised this convention during this election period to create awareness among Ugandans to make the right choice of leaders. Politicians who bribe voters should be shunned. Such people can easily get bribed when they get into power," she added.

The program manager UDN, Christine Byiringiro said President Yoweri Museveni needs to start taking action on all corrupt officials in his government to save Ugandans from being exploited.

"Uganda today faces a high debt as a result of corruption. This money is borrowed but has not benefited the common person. It means we either borrow this money when we are not ready and without planning for it. Most of this money is embezzled by those who are supposed to implement, yet it is the common man to pay back," she noted.

According to the Ministry of Finance data, Uganda's total public debt grew from $12.55bn (about sh46.36 trillion) at the end of June 2019, to $13.33bn by the end December 2019, which is equivalent to about sh48.91 trillion.

This was attributed to increased borrowing by the government in the recent past.

The external debt was $ 8.59 billion (about sh31.53 trillion), while the domestic debt at $ 4.73 billion (about sh17.38 trillion).

Byiringiro said they appreciate the efforts by government for the good laws and anti-graft agencies meant to fight corruption, but said they still need to be supported financially and give them independence.

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