President Yoweri Museveni has vowed to eliminate corruption in Uganda. He made this commitment during his address at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) retreat, held at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi district. The retreat began on Monday, July 8, 2024, and will run until Sunday, July 14.
Theme and Attendance
The retreat, themed “Answering the Citizens’ Call: Improved Service Delivery for Socio-Economic Transformation,” includes the participation of cabinet members, permanent secretaries, and other key officials. The event aims to address critical issues affecting service delivery in Uganda.
The President’s Address on Corruption
In his address, President Museveni emphasized the severity of corruption in Uganda. He cited reports from the Inspector General of Government (IGG) indicating that the country loses UGX 9.7 trillion annually due to corrupt practices.
| Type of Corruption | Details | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Public Funds Theft | Misuse of public funds, procurement fraud | Stealing funds, manipulating contracts |
| Employee Disloyalty | Theft by employees in both public and private sectors | Embezzlement, fraud |
“This is unacceptable. Therefore, corruption must be and will be crushed,” Museveni stated. He announced the formation of a new anti-corruption unit under State House—the Accountancy and Audit Unit. This unit will focus on audit processes across different levels of government.
New Anti-Corruption Measures
The President outlined the creation of two new units: the Tax Investigations Unit and the Accountancy and Audit Unit. These units will work alongside the existing State House Anti-Corruption Unit, led by Brig. Isoke, to address tax evasions, under-declarations, and the diversion of funds.
Museveni stressed that corruption exists in two main forms. The first involves the theft of public funds, misuse of procurement procedures, job selling, and theft of drugs from government hospitals. The second form is employee disloyalty, where workers steal from both government and private employers.
Role of Leaders and Authorities
Museveni highlighted that it is primarily the responsibility of professionals, such as permanent secretaries and chief administrative officers, to combat corruption. However, political leaders must step in when these professionals fail to perform their duties effectively.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who invited the President to the retreat, urged participants to use the event for self-reflection and evaluation. She called on attendees to honestly discuss what the government has achieved and what remains to be done.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabajja provided an overview of service delivery across various sectors. She noted improvements in the road network and connectivity but acknowledged delays in Kampala due to design reviews.
Purpose of the Retreat
Cabinet Secretary and Head of Public Service, Lucy Nakyobe, described the retreat as the first of its kind, focusing on self-examination to improve service delivery.
“This retreat is an introspection retreat. We will scrutinize ourselves to identify performance shortfalls and find practical solutions,” Nakyobe said. She emphasized the importance of understanding the root causes of these shortfalls and developing strategies to address them.
Nakyobe highlighted that the retreat aims to equip leaders and implementers with the necessary knowledge and skills. The program includes sessions led by experts from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), who will cover topics such as leadership, mindset change, and policy implementation.
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