The launch was made during the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) 2024 at Speke Resort Convention Centre Munyonyo.

In his speech which was read by Rt. Hon. Nabbanja, the President emphasised the fact that the government is committed to ending corruption in Uganda.

He noted that the unwavering commitment to combat corruption dates back to the liberation struggle during the Bush War, where he and his comrades in the struggle then, articulated the need  for accountability and integrity under the ten-Point Programme of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

“Point number seven (7) of the programme emphasised the elimination of corruption and the misuse of power, recognising these as critical barriers to national development and good governance,” the President noted.

To reinforce the fight, he explained that the NRM government has made remarkable strides in strengthening the legal and institutional anti-corruption framework, key international and regional conventions have been ratified hence demonstrating Uganda’s commitment to combating the vice at all levels.

Uganda commemorated this year’s IACD under the theme, “Promoting Effective Participation of the Youth in the War against Corruption”

The theme emphasised the critical role of young people in the fight against corruption, and the importance of availing platforms for their participation to enable them confidently speak aginst the evils of corruption, and pursue a corrupt-free society.

The President noted that the engagement of the youth in the fight against corruption was a timely intervention since they constitute the largest percentage of Uganda’s population.

He committed to supporting all the interventions by Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) in the fight against corruption.

In her remarks, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe, as part of the collaborative approach in the fight against corruption initiated by ACAs, the youth will be prioritised.

The IGG said that ACAs will continue to mobilise the population of Uganda, with special focus on the youth, to be watchdogs over their own resources, through education and advocacy, and that most important will be the call for mind-set change.

“We will to assure Ugandans that with this new approach of synergising all the ACAs, plus a well-equipped and well-organised population, we are positive that we are facing the right direction. All we need is government support through adequate funding.

The Auditor General Mr. Edward Akol, presented a joint statement on behalf of the Anti-Corruption Agencies.

IACD serves as a global reminder of the impact of corruption on society and the importance of united efforts to eliminate it.

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Uganda will join the rest of the world to commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day 2024 under the theme: “Promoting effective participation of the youth in the war against Corruption.”

The Inspectorate of Government, in collaboration with other Anti-Corruption Agencies, will host the national commemoration on Tuesday, 10^th December 2024, at Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo.

The Chief Guest will be His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni.

The commemoration serves as a global reminder of the impact of the vice on society and the importance of united efforts to eliminate it.

The theme emphasizes the critical role of young people in the fight against corruption, and the importance of availing platforms for their participation to enable them speak against its evils.

This was revealed by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe, during the commemoration of the Ombuds Day 2024, which was held on November 6 2024 at Mestil Hotel, Kampala.

A sectoral Ombudsman is an independent body that helps to promote accountability and transparency in specific public offices.

They can address complaints, provide referrals, improve internal responses, generate trust and prevent future cases among others.

The IGG is the national Ombudsman of Uganda and handles all Ombudsman-related complaints under Article 225 (1) (a) of the Constitution.

Hon. Kamya argued that once sectoral ombuds are created and established within public institutions to handle complaints, it will ease the IG’s work. However, consultations will first be made among the relevant stakeholders before implementation.

The IGG noted that if public officers and citizens adhere to the rule of law, there would be efficient delivery of public services in Uganda, adding that public officers hold public offices in trust of the people.

“Public officers must respect the public and must serve them diligently and without delay. The Inspectorate of Government is raising awareness to the entire population of Uganda to demand for quality services as a constitutional right. We call upon the public to say no to poor quality service and report to the IGG when they have not been treated properly,” the IGG said.

Sectoral Ombuds bodies act as a control mechanism, limiting administrative access and ensuring fairness in power exercise. They serve as a check against abuse, accessible, without fear, favour, or cost to all citizens.

The Public Protector of the Republic of South Africa, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, who delivered a keynote address on The effectiveness of the sectoral Ombuds in bridging the gap between citizens and public services, emphasized the importance of having sectoral ombudsmen in the public offices.

“Accessible Ombudsmen can prevent dissatisfaction with state conduct, provide legitimate grievance resolution process and enhance public sector governance by fostering trust, accountability, addressing service delivery gaps and supporting innovation,” Advocate Kholeka said.

She had been invited to share her experience as a Public Protector and show how the Republic of South Africa has successfully implemented the sectoral ombuds.

Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, said that the Ombudsman function, if executed with Integrity, is one tool that can eliminate corruption.

“When the Sectoral Ombuds is introduced, it will inculcate a culture of values that respect the citizens that we serve. IGG should extend this function to dismantling corruption and maladministration by ensuring that public officers stick to the rule of law while executing their duties,” she said.

The first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs who was also the Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, commended the Inspectorate of Government for initiating the establishment of sectoral ombuds in public offices.

She noted that most people suffer injustice due to lack of systems in public offices.

“Some countries have established sectoral ombuds in almost every sector and it is working quite well. It is good that we are also now copying that good example which will ultimately be good for our country,” she said

Examples of Ombudsman complaints include among others nonpayment of benefits such as salary, pension and gratuity, employment disputes such as irregular recruitment, interdiction, unfair termination or victimization, abuse of authority, mismanagement and delay in service delivery.

However, the IGG doesn’t handle a complaint which has already been decided by a Court or a tribunal established by law, a case which is before a court by the time the complaint is filed, and a complaint of private nature for instance a loan recovery.