IGG Launches Baseline Mapping Exercise For Fast-Tracking The Implementation Of Uncac In Uganda
Jan. 21, 2025
The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya
Turwomwe, launched the Uganda Baseline Mapping Exercise under the Eastern
Africa Anti-Corruption Platform on Monday. The three-day exercise, taking place
at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, is a critical step toward accelerating
the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
In her opening address, Turwomwe emphasized the need
for Uganda to take ownership of the fight against corruption. She noted that
corruption inflicts significant harm on the economy by diverting essential
resources and undermining the achievements the country has worked hard to
attain. She underscored that combating corruption requires a sense of personal
responsibility and sacrifice, urging stakeholders to become active "warriors"
against the vice.
The IGG stressed the importance of collective effort
in the anti-corruption battle, pointing out that Uganda must take a proactive
stance. She remarked that international support is vital but emphasized that
development partners must find Uganda actively engaged in the fight against
corruption when they step in to assist.
The Baseline Mapping Exercise is part of Phase II of
the Eastern Africa Anti-Corruption Platform, which was launched in May 2024
during a regional conference in Nairobi, Kenya. The platform unites ten
countries in Eastern Africa that include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC), Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, United Republic
of Tanzania and Uganda, around key anti-corruption focus areas, comprising:
1. Financial investigations and asset
recovery.
2. Whistle-blower protection and
protection of other reporting persons.
3. Public procurement and integrity
systems.
4. Private sector collective action
against corruption.
The Uganda Baseline Mapping Exercise aims to gather
updated information on the status of these thematic areas, identify best
practices, and assess technical assistance needs to guide future
anti-corruption initiatives. The exercise involves key stakeholders, including
high-level officials, technical experts, Civil Society Organizations and
development partners. Participants include representatives from anti-corruption
authorities, asset recovery agencies, financial intelligence units, tax
authorities, public procurement regulatory authorities and private sector
actors.
The IGG reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to tackling
corruption and called for a unified approach to protect national resources and
uphold transparency and accountability. She encouraged stakeholders to work
together to ensure the success of this critical initiative.
