Uganda Commemorates African Anti-Corruption Day 2026
July 15, 2026
“When a citizen walks into a government office
tomorrow morning, what experience will they have? Will they find a public
service that listens, responds and delivers? Or will they encounter delays,
indifference and systems that make the government seem distant from their daily
struggles?”
These thought-provoking questions were asked
by the Inspector General of Government, Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, as
Uganda commemorated the African Anti-Corruption Day (AACD) 2026.
The questions challenged public officials to
reflect on their individual roles in strengthening service delivery, and also
offered them time to undertake an honest self-assessment of their contribution
to building a transparent, accountable, and efficient public service that
consistently meets the expectations of citizens.
The AACD 2026 was commemorated under the
theme, “No Sleep; No Corruption: A call for heightened vigilance, Diligence,
and Commitment to Public Service”.
This theme, Lady Justice Naluzze said, is more
than a slogan but a reminder to all Public Officers that corruption thrives
where oversight is weak, where accountability is ignored and where leaders
become complacent.
As such, Accounting Officers and institutional
leaders must remain vigilant every single day, fostering a culture of integrity
and ensuring that the systems under their stewardship are resilient enough to
prevent corruption before it takes root.
“It means asking difficult questions when
figures do not add up, visiting projects to verify progress, strengthening
internal controls, following up audit recommendations and ensuring that every
public shilling delivers value to citizens,” Lady Justice Naluzze said.
She reaffirmed the IG’s unwavering commitment
to fulfilling its constitutional mandate by championing good governance,
enforcing accountability, and relentlessly combating corruption in the pursuit
of a transparent and ethical public service.
However, she noted that the IG’s greatest
achievements will not be measured by the number of investigations or
prosecutions undertaken but by the number of institutions that strengthen their
systems, prevent corruption before it occurs and consistently deliver quality
services to the public.
Held both physically and virtually, the
commemoration targeted Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), City and Town
Clerks, Members of the Anti-Corruption Agencies, and Civil Society
Organisations (CSOs).
In his keynote address, Mr. Ben Kumumanya,
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, stressed the
importance of resolute adherence to the law by all Accounting Officers.
He urged them to let legal and regulatory
frameworks guide every decision and action, noting that strict compliance is
essential to minimizing errors, promoting accountability, and upholding public
trust in the execution of their duties.
“Accounting Officers in Local Governments are
the strategic frontline commanders for service delivery in the country. They
must stick to the law and anybody who does contrary to the law will be held
accountable,” he warned.
Hon. Akello Rose Lilly, the Minister of State
for Ethics and Integrity, called for a whole-of-government approach in the
elimination of corruption, adding that religious leaders, CSOs, education and
cultural institutions are all brought on board.
“Let us be vigilant in monitoring service
delivery by ensuring that the District Integrity Promotion Forums are
operational and functional. I also appeal to RDCs, DISOs, and LCV chairpersons
to step up supervision of the government programmes in their respective districts,”
she said.
Deputy IGG, Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe,
said the commemoration focused on CAOs, City and Town Clerks because they are
the faces of government in the communities they serve.
“When you [CAOs and City/Town Clerks] act with
integrity, citizens believe in the state. When you falter, their trust
crumbles. Yours is not merely a job; it is a sacred trust. You hold the keys to
service delivery, and with that privilege comes an extra ordinary
responsibility to shape a culture of integrity from the ground up,” she said.
The commemoration was also attended by Deputy
IGG, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, alongside Directors and staff of the IG, whose
presence underscored the institution's collective commitment to the occasion
and elimination of corruption.