IG Appeals For Mps' Support In Fighting Corruption
Aug. 6, 2026
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has
appealed to Members of Parliament (MPs) to become champions in the fight
against corruption and maladministration by encouraging citizens to report
corrupt practices within their communities.
The call was made by the Deputy Inspector
General of Government (DIGG), Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, during the
Inspectorate's engagement with Parliament's Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
Committee.
The DIGG observed that the country's
anti-corruption efforts continue to be hindered by deeply entrenched societal
norms, beliefs, and attitudes that discourage citizens from speaking out
against corruption and maladministration. She emphasised that reversing this
trend requires a deliberate shift in public mindset, noting that MPs are
uniquely positioned to drive this transformation because of their close
relationship with the people they represent.
"It is a very big challenge because some
people now glorify the corrupt while others are discouraged from reporting corruption.
However, you can help us change this mind-set because you have a great deal of
influence," she said.
When asked about Minister Balaam Barugahara's
recent interdiction of local government officials, the Deputy IGG welcomed the
Minister's anti-corruption efforts as timely, especially amid rising impunity
in local government. She acknowledged that sometimes such actions are
unavoidable when culprits are caught in the act. However, she urged caution,
noting that impromptu actions can expose the Government to costly civil
litigation. She stressed that strengthening institutional systems is more
sustainable in the long run.
On whether Ministers have the power to
interdict, she explained that Ministers like the Inspectorate of Government
(IG) do not directly interdict; rather, they work through responsible officers
such as Permanent Secretaries and Chief Administrative Officers, who carry out
the formal process in accordance with the Public Service Standing Orders.
When asked why the IGG does not act in the
same manner, she stated that the Inspectorate is the custodian of the rule of
law and must uphold the principles of natural justice, including the right to
be heard and the presumption of innocence.
"The Inspectorate of Government cannot
subvert the very law it is mandated to enforce. Our investigations must be
thorough, evidence based, and procedurally sound. Any departure from the
principles of natural justice would not only undermine public confidence but
also expose our actions to successful civil litigation," she said.
On the IG's strategic priorities for the
upcoming financial year, Mrs. Muhairwe outlined the following key initiatives:
· Institutionalising intelligence-led and prosecution-driven
investigations
· Deploying AI-powered leadership code verification systems
· Scaling up asset tracing and recovery mechanisms
· Mainstreaming Transparency, Accountability, and Anti-Corruption
(TAAC) across Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Local Governments (MDALGs)
· Enhancing enforcement and compliance monitoring of IG
recommendations among others.
The Secretary to the IG, Mrs. Rose Kafeero,
informed MPs that the Inspectorate had embarked on a comprehensive digital
transformation programme aimed at digitising and automating its systems and
business processes, in line with the Government of Uganda's broader digital
transformation agenda. She noted that the initiative is expected to enhance
operational efficiency, strengthen service delivery, and improve the
institution's capacity to prevent and combat corruption.
The DIGG reaffirmed the Inspectorate's
unwavering commitment to working closely with Parliament, government
institutions, accountability agencies, civil society, the private sector, and the
public to strengthen integrity, promote accountable governance, and intensify
the fight against corruption and maladministration.
She was accompanied by directors and Assistant
directors of the IG.