The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, has engaged the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, and other parliamentary leaders in commemoration of International Ombuds Day 2026. During the engagement, she also submitted the Inspectorate of Government’s (IG) Bi-Annual Report for January to June 2026.

The IGG appreciated Parliament for enacting legislation that strengthens the fight against corruption and providing resources to enable the Inspectorate to execute its mandate. She highlighted the IG’s achievements in combating corruption, enforcing the Leadership Code, addressing maladministration and promoting accountability in public service.

Results from investigations into corruption allegations included orders for the recovery of approximately UGX 41.6 billion, with UGX 5.7 billion recovered in cash and assets. Through Ombudsman interventions, the IG also recommended UGX 1.5 billion in compensation to complainants. In addition, 26 convictions were secured out of 29 cases prosecuted before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court and the Leadership Code Tribunal, representing an 89.7 percent conviction rate.

The report further indicated that 241,230 out of 302,800 registered public officers declared their income, assets and liabilities during the April 2026 declaration period, representing an 80 percent compliance rate.

The IGG pledged to strengthen investigations, asset tracing and recovery, enforcement of the Leadership Code, Ombudsman services, public awareness, mainstreaming of the Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption (TAAC) component, and monitoring of Government projects. She appealed to Parliament for increased funding, recruitment and retention of specialised personnel, and stronger legal and institutional support to enable the IG to execute its mandate effectively.

During the engagement, the IGG also presented the IG Strategic Plan 2025/26–2029/30, the Client Charter and information, education and communication (IEC) materials to the Speaker.

The Deputy Inspector General of Government, Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, highlighted the Inspectorate’s Ombudsman function in addressing maladministration, promoting administrative justice and providing options for resolving complaints against public institutions and public officers. She noted that the IG joined the rest of the world in commemorating International Ombuds Day on 8th October 2026 under the theme, “Ombuds: Office of Options.”

The Speaker of Parliament reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting the Inspectorate. He called for parliamentary recommendations, particularly those arising from the Auditor General’s reports, to be submitted to the IG through the Clerk to Parliament for consideration. Describing corruption as an “industry,” he urged Parliament’s Budget Committee to consider additional funding for the Inspectorate and address its staffing gap of 168 positions.

Rt. Hon. Oboth-Oboth further directed that debate on the IG Report be included on the Order Paper for Tuesday, 13th October 2026.

The engagement was attended by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Rt. Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, and Chairpersons and Members of Parliamentary Accountability Committees, among other officials.

The Deputy Inspector General of Government (DIGG), Ms. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, today led a team from the Inspectorate of Government (IG) on a visit to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offices as part of the Inspectorate’s efforts to strengthen engagement with public institutions and promote effective access to Ombudsman services.

The DIGG and her team were welcomed by the UWA Executive Director, Dr. James Musinguzi, PhD, together with the Commissioner of Human Resource, Ms. Susan Muhumuza Nyatia, and other UWA staff.

During the visit, the IG delegation, including Mr. Kakooza Savio Ntensibe, Director, Directorate of Ombudsman Affairs, toured various UWA departments, including Planning, Procurement, ICT, Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as the Reservations Office.

At the Reservations Office, the delegation followed up on service delivery and interacted with staff on the challenges and opportunities in serving the public. The DIGG also emphasised the importance of creating a conducive working environment that enables staff to effectively deliver on their mandate.

Mr. Kakooza Savio Ntensibe emphasised the role of UWA in promoting the rule of law and good governance, including through effective investigations and enforcement against wildlife crimes such as poaching.

In the boardroom, the UWA Executive Director welcomed the IG team, after which both institutions introduced their respective teams. The DIGG gave an overview of the Ombudsman institution, its origins and its role in promoting adherence to the rule of law, administrative justice and the principles of natural justice. She underscored the need to increase public awareness about the Ombudsman function so that citizens can effectively seek redress.

Dr. Musinguzi congratulated the Inspectorate of Government upon assuming the Presidency of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA) and appreciated the Inspectorate for taking its services closer to public institutions.

He briefed the delegation on UWA’s mandate and operations, noting that the Authority was established under the Uganda Wildlife Act and is responsible for managing 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves and 13 wildlife sanctuaries, among other conservation areas, under the guidance of its Board of Trustees.

He highlighted some of UWA’s achievements, including the successful reintroduction of rhinos into the wild, with the population now standing at 61 rhinos, species recovery initiatives, mitigation of encroachment and boundary disputes, management of human-wildlife conflicts, community benefit programmes, enterprise development and diversification of eco-tourism products.

Dr. Musinguzi thanked the Inspectorate for taking its services to UWA and welcomed the Inspectorate’s new approach to dispute resolution and engagement with public institutions.

In her remarks, the DIGG clarified that the visit was not a fault-finding mission, but rather an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, understand the concerns of staff and promote the role of the Ombudsman as a public protector

She encouraged UWA staff to appreciate the importance of teamwork, respect and effective leadership, noting that leadership requires the ability to manage egos and emotions. She urged staff to support their leaders, work collectively, keep personal emotions out of the workplace and demonstrate commitment and love for their work.

The DIGG further encouraged UWA to publicise and showcase its achievements so that the public can better appreciate the Authority’s contribution to wildlife conservation, tourism and national development.

The engagement reaffirmed the commitment of both institutions to strengthening good governance, accountability, effective service delivery and access to administrative justice.

The Deputy Inspector General of Government (DIGG), Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, has called on the leadership of Uganda Airlines to use the current transition in leadership to rewrite the national carrier's story by building a professional, resilient and accountable institution that can earn and sustain public trust.

The DIGG made the call today while meeting the CEO of Uganda Airlines, Mr. Girma Wake, as part of the Inspectorate of Government’s activities to commemorate the International Ombuds Day 2026, under the theme “Ombuds: Office of Options.”

She noted that the IG had received complaints concerning the airline, including irregularities in recruitment and procurement, financial mismanagement as well as poor institutional culture. She emphasised that the Ombudsman’s role is to provide options for addressing such concerns through early intervention, dialogue, mediation, investigation, providing advice and recommendations.

“Our approach is not necessarily to wait until a problem has escalated into a major crisis. Where possible, the Ombudsman should help institutions identify problems early, resolve them and strengthen their systems,”

The DIGG reminded the leadership that Uganda Airlines is more than a commercial enterprise. As the national carrier, it carries Uganda’s name and image across Africa and beyond and therefore has a special responsibility to uphold professionalism, fairness, transparency, accountability, value for money and quality customer service.

She thanked Mr. Wake for coming to Uganda and taking on the responsibility of helping to revive and strengthen the national carrier, assuring him that Uganda has confidence in his leadership and is rooting for the airline’s success.

Mr. Wake appreciated the DIGG for reaching out to the airline and assured her that Uganda Airlines is now well positioned to take off and fulfil its potential. He said that, given time and the right support, the airline will achieve greater heights.

He also pledged to organise a staff engagement with the DIGG to discuss the Ombudsman mandate and listen to staff perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the national carrier.

The IG remains committed to working with public institutions to strengthen systems, address administrative injustices and ensure that public resources and institutions serve the public interest.

The DIGG was accompanied by Mr. Gerald Gwaira, Director Research, Education and Advocacy (DREA), Mr. Savio Kakooza Ntensibe, Director Ombudsman Affairs (DOA), Hajjat Munira Ali, Assistant Director Public Relations, Mrs. Mariam Nimusima, Assistant Director DOA, Mr. Martin Lukwago and Ms. Diana Nantabazi, both Principal Inspectorate Officers, Ms. Lisa Mwagale, Executive Assistant to the DIGG Mrs. Twinomugisha, Mr. Owen Masembe and Ms. Doreen Tukamushaba, both Inspectorate Officers.