IG Proposes Establishment Of Sectoral Ombuds In Public Offices

Nov. 11, 2024

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The Inspectorate of Government (IG) is advocating for the establishment of Sectoral Ombudsmen in public offices in a bid to effectively reinforce adherence to the rule of law.
  

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.