Chief Justice Launches 2025 Declaration Period For Leaders
March 4, 2025
On March 3,
2025, the Chief Justice of
Uganda, Hon. Alfonse Owiny Dollo, officially launched the Declaration of Income, Assets, and
Liabilities period for leaders. The event, held at the Supreme Court’s conference hall, was
conducted under the theme "Enhanced
Accountability through Wealth Declaration."
Under the Leadership
Code Act, leaders and public officers are required to declare their incomes, assets and liabilities to the
Inspectorate of Government (IG).
For 2025, only leaders specified under the Second Schedule of the Leadership Code Act are mandated to submit
their declarations within the period from
March 1 to March 31, 2025.
In his address, Hon. Dollo expressed concern over the
rising levels of corruption in
Uganda, attributing it to a decline in moral values. He pointed out that some
individuals have amassed unexplained wealth at the expense of the majority,
emphasizing the need for accountability
and transparency in leadership. He also challenged Ugandans to stop glorifying corruption, noting that the
fight against the vice requires both individual and collective responsibility.
"We cannot accuse the
IG of failing to eliminate corruption while we remain passive. Fighting
corruption is a duty for all of us. If we truly want to end it, we must rise up
and say no to corruption," he said.
The Chief Justice welcomed the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe’s
new initiative to investigate ownership
of high-rise apartments and luxurious properties in the city, stating
that public officials must be able to justify
the sources of their wealth. He reiterated that declaration of income, assets and liabilities is a legal obligation
that promotes honesty and trust
among leaders and public officers.
On the issue of funding, Hon. Dollo called on Parliament to increase the IG’s budget to enhance its ability to educate citizens on the dangers of corruption
and effectively carry out its mandate. He also pledged the Judiciary’s support in the fight
against corruption.
The State
Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Hon. Akello Rose Lilly, commended the
Inspectorate of Government (IG)
for its relentless efforts in combating corruption. She emphasized that leaders must embrace the declaration process
as a key safeguard against corruption.
"I urge all leaders to
declare their incomes, assets and liabilities. This process builds confidence
that leaders are acting with integrity. Failure to comply will have
consequences, and the government remains committed to supporting the IG in its
mission," she said.
In her remarks, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe,
urged leaders to comply with the
declaration requirement and ensure transparency. She also encouraged citizens to hold their leaders accountable
by questioning the source of their
wealth, especially when they acquire multi-billion properties.
"We have received
intelligence reports indicating that many of the high-rise apartments in the
city suburbs are owned by public servants. We are determined to investigate and
ensure that these individuals can explain how they acquired these properties," she stated.
Hon. Kamya also acknowledged that syndicated corruption remains a challenge,
but she expressed confidence that it
can be dismantled if all stakeholders join the fight. She urged all
Ugandans to actively participate in fostering a culture of accountability and integrity to safeguard the nation’s
future.
