Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has committed to partnering with the Inspectorate of Government (IG) in the fight against corruption and maladministration in Uganda. 

UCC has also pledged to provide platforms to facilitate the dissemination of crucial information to the public and support the IG’s initiatives in digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation.

This was agreed during a courtesy visit of the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe, to Hon. Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of UCC at the commission’s headquarters on October 16, 2024.

The IGG also congratulated Hon. Thembo on his appointment as Executive Director of UCC and briefed him on the IG’s broad mandate, which includes fighting corruption, enforcing the Leadership Code Act, and performing the Ombudsman function.

She explained that the IG is prioritizing prevention as a key aspect in the war against corruption, with a strong emphasis on promoting strict adherence to the rule of law. 

Hon. Thembo expressed his gratitude and welcomed the proposed collaboration. He pledged UCC’s support to the IG in the execution of its mandate.

The IG delegation accompanying Hon. Kamya included Mr. James Onying Penywii, Director of Research, Education, and Advocacy; Mr. Joseph Pinycwa, Manager of Strategy, Policy, and Planning; Mr. Bamwidhukire Joseph, Manager of Information and Communication Technology; Hajjat Munira Ali, Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Public Relations; Mr. Farouk Kayondo, Supervisor of Strategic Partnerships and Public Relations; and Mr. Allan Bunyenyezi, Personal Assistant to the IGG.

Fellow Countrymen & Women, I encourage you all to celebrate Uganda's 62nd Independence Anniversary. There are many voices saying we shouldn't, but they should think of the birth of a nation like the birth of a child. The important thing is that it is born. The process of growth is easier for some than for others. There will be sickness, scarcity, walking and falling, accidents, some maiming, but there can be no turning back to the womb. Sociologists, political analysts, social scientists and academicians will all analyse the growth problem(s) and even suggest remedies.... all that is part of growth, which developed countries have gone thru.... except in their case, instead of begging for aid, they plundered and took by force. Compatriots, growth is never a walk in the park but TODAY, we celebrate being born as a country. Tomorrow, we can discuss the growth curve, what it could be, why it isn't, and mitigating factors.

Happy 62 years, Uganda

Beti Kamya Turwomwe 

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF GOVERNMENT 

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among, has pledged Parliament support to the Inspectorate of Government (IG) on its Digital Transformation Journey, and the completion of the IG Head Office Building.

Speaker Among made the pledge this morning shortly after receiving the  50^th and 51^st IG Bi-Annual Performance Reports to Parliament from the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe.

She commended the IG as one of the few Agencies that diligently submit the reports as required by law, and directed the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee to review the reports and lay them on the floor of Parliament by Thursday, 10^th October, 2024.

She asked the IG to increase awareness drives against corruption, noting that when the citizens are aware of the dangers of corruption they will easily join the fight against it.

The IGG appreciated Parliament for enacting the enabling laws and appropriating budget allocations for the execution of the IG mandate.

She also applauded the Parliamentary Committees on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Budget that enabled the IG Budget to be increased from UGX.79.4Bn in the FY2022/23 to UGX.81.7Bn in the current FY2024/2025.

While presenting the highlights of the IG’s reports to the Speaker, Hon. Kamya revealed that there was an increase in the number of complaints received by the IG, number of investigations concluded, recovery of funds and an improvement in the conviction rate.

She attributed this to an improvement in internal processes such as prosecution-led investigations and increased citizens’ engagement.

The IGG was accompanied by Deputy IGGs, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria and Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, Secretary to the IG, Mrs. Rose N. Kafeero, Director Research, Education and Advocacy, Mr. James Onying Penywii, Director Legal Affairs, Ms. Sarah Birungi Kalibbala, Director Leadership Code, Mr. Magezi Joram,  and Director Special Investigations, Mr. Polly Muhairwe.

Others included the Manager Strategic Partnerships & Public Relations, Hajjat Munira Ali, Manager Strategic Policy and Planning, Mr. Joseph Pinycwa, Supervisor Research and Learning, Mr. John Bosco Kabbale, and Supervisor Administration, Mr. Allan Bunyenyezi.

The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has ordered the interdiction of three Soroti University officials for allegedly causing financial loss of UGX 464,693,000 to the institution.

Details in the Press Statement below:

The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has ordered the interdiction of two senior officials of Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) over abuse of office.

They are Mr. Aristarco Mujuzi Kasekende Finance and Accounting Manager and Accountant, Mr. John Baptist Ahimbisibwe.

Details in the press statement below:

The Inspector General of Government, Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe, has ordered the interdiction of Luwero District Town Clerk, Ms. Lydia Nabaasa, over allegations of abuse of office.

Details in the Press Statement below:

The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe, on July 3, 2024 called on the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), to professionalise the accounting profession by cracking a whip against accountants whose professional conduct is wanting.

The IGG made the clarion call while making a presentation about the Impact of Corruption and Fraud on the Economy during the 12th Economic Forum for the Institute of Certified Public Accountants at Imperial Resort Beach, Entebbe.

The forum, which attracted accountants from across the country, was organised under the theme: “Enhancing Productive Sectors for Sustainable Development”.

The IGG acknowledged the fact that accountants have a crucial role to play in the elimination of corruption since they are always privy to all transactions of the organisations they work for.

However, she noted that some accountants deliberately choose not to raise a red flag against fraud since they benefit from the same deal.

“I want to put it to you [accountants] that at the heart of every corruption scandal, there is an accountant involved. I want to implore the president of this association that you need to professionalise the accounting profession. You need to seriously reflect and put your house in order,” the IGG said.

She encouraged the accountants to be bold enough and report corruption to the Inspectorate of Government.

The Inspectorate of Government (IG) held a Corporate Fun Day (CFD) for its staff on June 21, 2024, at the International School of Uganda (ISU).

The CFD is an annual special day which brings together IG staff to partake in various sports and games activities outside the busy office schedules, as a way of fostering good health through blending the mind, body and soul.

Staff across the various directorates showcased their prowess by competing in various sports and games disciplines. They were grouped into teams and competed in football, volleyball, board games, swimming, dancing and athletics among others.

The six teams included Cranes, Egrets, Falcons, Pelicans, Robins and Sparrows.

The IG top leadership took part in the fun-filled activities in the spirit of teamwork, eliciting admiration from the jolly staff.

The highlight of the day was when the Inspector General of Government (IGG), dived into the water to showcase her swimming prowess.

“In your priorities you must factor in sports or physical exercises no matter your age because it helps to re-energise the whole body. Therefore, after a year-long schedule of work, we chose to come together as an institution to refresh our minds through various sports activities. We also do this to enhance teamwork which is key in our operations,” the IGG said.

Pelicans carried the day with a trophy after scoring the highest number of points from the various games played, while Robins and Sparrows tallied the same points in the first runner-up position. Egrets emerged the second runners-up, followed by Cranes and Falcons.

Individual staff who showcased exceptional skills in the various sports and games were also awarded medals.

The Inspectorate of Government (IG) on May 24, 2024 charged two officials from Uganda Printing and Public Corporation (UPPC) with abuse of office in the Anti-Corruption Court.

The duo include Mr. John Baptist Ahimbisibwe, 54, an Accountant and Mr. Aristarco Mujuzi Kasekende, Finance and Accounting Manager.

According to the charge sheet, Mr. Ahimbisibwe together with the former Managing Director of UPPC, Prof. Tom Davis Wasswa, between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, while employed as Acting Finance and Accounting Manager and Managing Director of UPPC respectively, approved and authorized payment of UGX37, 500,000 for a 10-day Book Exhibition, whereas not, knowing or having reason to know that this would cause financial loss to UPPC.

Similarly, Prof. Wasswa together with Mr. Kasekende, while employed as Managing Director and Finance and Accounting Manager of UPPC respectively, approved and authorized payment of UGX8,900,00 for the 12th Higher Education Exhibition, and UGX27,860,000 purportedly for a Management retreat at Mansion Hotel whereas, causing financial loss to UPPC.

Mr. Ahimbisibwe and Mr. Kasekende were granted bail by the Anti-Corruption Court.

Though the charge sheet shows five (5) people who were supposed to charged, three of them are still at large.

These include Ms. Stella Victoria Namulondo, 38, Acting Sales and Marketing Manager, Ms. Christine Mayengo, 44, an Accountant, and Prof. Wasswa, former Managing Director. Court has since issued criminal summons for them.

Ms. Namulondo between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, while employed as Acting Sales Manager of UPPC, allegedly stole 219,472,300 which money she had accessed by virtue of her office. She also received UGX184,805,000 for various activities of the institution but failed to account.

Ms. Mayengo, together with Prof. Wasswa while employed as Accountant and Managing Director of UPPC respectively, approved and authorized payment of UGX110,545,000 purportedly for a 21-day Book Exhibition at Hotel Africana whereas not, causing financial loss to the institution.

The Inspector General of Government (IGG) and President of the Eastern Africa Association of Anti-corruption Authorities (EAAACA), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe, on May 22, 2024, participated in the Regional Conference of the Eastern Africa Anti-Corruption Platform high-level meeting in Nairobi-Kenya.

Hon. Kamya urged the anti-corruption agencies and stakeholders to mobilise the public to participate and own the war against corruption as they were the main victims of poor quality service delivery.

She appreciated the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for collaborating with EAAACA to organize the regional conference, which she noted was a milestone in eradicating corruption in the region.

She further reiterated the commitment of EAAACA to promote regional collaboration.

The meeting was officially opened by Mr. Felix Kosky, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Kenya.

Also present was the deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Kenya, Mr. Abdi Mohamud Ahmed.