Over the years, efforts to combat corruption have led public officials to become more cunning, cleverly manipulating budgeting and procurement systems to siphon off public resources.
The Inspectorate of Government reports that these officials have learned to cover their tracks, making it difficult for investigations to trace their involvement within the chain.
As a result, the responsibility often falls on junior officers and project implementers, particularly the Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), who are tasked with signing numerous documents related to various contracts.
As Uganda joins the global community in observing International Anti-Corruption Day today (December 9, 2024, various anti-corruption organizations, spearheaded by the Inspector General, are highlighting the importance of robust collaboration among all stakeholders.
This y
ear’s event revolves around the theme “Encouraging Active Involvement of Young People in the Fight Against Corruption.”
Citizens especially the youth are urged to play a crucial role in the battle against corruption and the misuse of power.
The Inspectorate General of Government, Betty Kamya Turyomwe, revealed that that the wrongdoers are aware of the numerous tracking and monitoring systems in place.
As a result, they have turned to manipulating the budget processes, particularly during contract awards.
This allows them to inflate costs and subsequently take their share, all while leaving no evidence to hold them accountable.
At the 2024 Anti-Corruption Convention hosted at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in Kololo, Kamya emphasized the importance of active citizen participation in the battle against corruption.
This event was organized by the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU) and Action Aid International Uganda, in partnership with various organizations including the Inspector General, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), Transparency International Uganda (TIU), and the Uganda Debt Network (UDN), among others.
Kamya cited the dimensions of corruption including: ‘Supply Side of Corruption‘, ‘Budgeting for Corruption’, and ‘Syndicated Corruption’ highlighting that is as a novel form of corruption that complicates the task of identifying the “Big Fish” ( high ranking public officials).
She noted: “This indicates that corruption has grown more extensive; we are confronting a significant amount of syndicate corruption. It signifies that corruption manifests in various forms, and we must tackle it from multiple angles.”
Kamya revealed that the inflation of figures often originates at the parliamentary level and within local governments during the allocation of funds.
In these instances, numbers are manipulated for personal gain, making it difficult to identify the main offenders, as they typically ensure there is no evidence left behind.
Kamya explained that in many instances, the key perpetrators in the chain are not directly involved in procurement evaluations and do not sign checks, making it significantly more difficult, if not impossible, to identify them.
“From my experience as an IG, normally it begins with the whistleblower. He might tell you what is happening in the institution of government or it could be a complaint by the community on the quality of execution of a project or event from a random check by one of the institutions of government or civil society. So, when we get this information, we may start our investigation from either or down,” she explained.
Kamya observed that their findings indicate that the budgeting process is the starting point for everything, where the project initiators or implementors, especially Chief Administrative Officers (CAO), fall victims.
“Say a CAO wants to build a dam in a village or a school, so they put a budget of sh500 million, and as it goes up each one says what about me, add this,” he noted.
She noted that you find a dam initially projected to cost sh500 million escalating to a budget of sh2 billion and has been approved.
She noted that upon receiving a complaint or information from a whistleblower regarding substandard work, the IG team conducts an inspection and holds the CAO accountable for the poor quality of work delivered.
“So, the CAO spills the beans, so we interdict the CAO investigations and he confesses,” she noted.
Kamya stated that the CAO is prosecuted due to their thorough examination of various factors, which reveals a lack of genuine accountability, characterized by “no work, shoddy or substandard materials”.
She stressed that in such incidents is where you find a contractor executing a sh2 billion project with only sh400 million and is required to justify the full sh2 billion.
“You see people complaining; why are you arresting small fish, we want big fish…… The big fish do not leave any footprint. They let the small fish handle everything. The story of the CAO cannot stand in court because they want evidence beyond reasonable doubt not stories. The big fish in the ministry of finance did not leave any footprints….they get away with it,” she added.
“So, the poor cow loses their job and even goes to prison. That is part of my experience on budgeting for corruption,” she added.
Kamya said certain smaller fish face limited options, mentioning that those who have attempted to resist often find themselves either unable to meet their budgets or included in the budget without any subsequent release.
Kamya urged all stakeholders, including citizens, to collaborate in order to effectively gather evidence pinning the big fish.
“When they get this money, they don’t put it in a bank, they buy assets. The chairman of Wakiso told me all those sprouting mansions in Seguku, Kira, and Najjera belong to public servants,” he said.
She also encouraged civil society to consistently share their reports with the relevant statutory bodies, as they possess the legal authority to investigate, apprehend, and even restrain the offenders.
Kamya emphasized the importance of youth participation in the battle against corruption, highlighting that they constitute 75% of the population and are often the primary victims.
He stated that it is essential to engage the community in understanding their role in this struggle, as they share the same villages with those involved.
The Auditor General, Edward Akol, highlighted that the persistent and evolving nature of corruption in Uganda necessitates a more inclusive and participatory approach, engaging youth as key agents of change.
“Corruption in Uganda evolved into a systematic and deeply entrenched problem with devastating impacts on national development,” he noted.
He noted that a report by the IG indicates that Uganda loses an estimated sh9 trillion each year due to corruption, funds that could greatly enhance healthcare, education, and other vital services.
He emphasized that the crisis necessitates intentional efforts to establish strong monitoring systems, empowering the youth through education, awareness, and active involvement in governance.
Akol highlighted the newly established Citizen Feedback Platform (CFP) as a key initiative to boost youth and public engagement in combating corruption.
The CFP mobile application allows all stakeholders to provide feedback on service delivery issues to the AG.
Additionally, he mentioned that his office is in the advanced stages of setting up a Call Centre with a toll-free line to facilitate feedback.
“The PPDA has also put in place a Contract Monitoring system which empowers citizens to monitor government projects and contracts. SHACU has call centers where you can report cases of corruption and maladministration among others,” he noted.
Akol also stressed that for an effective fight against corruption, government agencies must lead by example.
“If, we the government institutions demonstrate integrity, deliver on our promises, and provide the required services effectively, we will serve as role models for the youth,” he added.
Signe Winding Albjerg, the Danish Ambassador to Uganda, highlighted the crucial role of collective efforts in promoting integrity and sustainable development, as well as the significance of engaging youth as key agents of change in the fight against corruption.
She stated that addressing corruption necessitates robust leadership, active and empowered citizens who demand accountability, and the backing of anti-corruption institutions to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
Julius Mukunda, the Executive Director of CSBAG, expressed concerns regarding the budget process in Uganda, highlighting that it has been compromised, especially during the approval phase, where last-minute decisions have encouraged corrupt practices.
He referred to the FY2024/25 budget cycle, noting that sudden budget changes introduced an additional sh14 trillion through corrigenda, resulting in a 36.8% increase in the national budget, which rose from sh52.73 trillion to sh72.13 trillion.
Mukunda emphasized that while the timing of the increase may have adhered to regulations, the hurried amendments significantly hindered Parliament’s capacity to thoroughly examine and debate the proposed budget.
He pointed out that the President had to return the appropriation bill post-approval, directing that sh750 billion be allocated due to misappropriation issues.
He cited the unethical practices within the budget process where last minute decisions have fostered corruption, supplementary budgeting inefficiencies, budgeting for unproductive activities (leading to unproductive expenditures), payroll management corruption and the fiscal indiscipline and impunity for corruption like the recent iron sheets saga and parliamentary service awards where those accountable were not held accountable.
“Failure to hold corrupt officials accountable has created a culture of impunity that undermines the integrity of the budget process and erodes public trust in government institutions,” he added.
Mukunda called for the enhancement of accountability systems by reinforcing legislative roles to improve budget integrity and mitigate corruption.
Xavier Ejoy, the Country Director of ActionAid International Uganda, highlighted the challenges Uganda faces, including inadequate service delivery and escalating debt, largely attributed to corruption.
He emphasized the importance of community involvement in the budgeting process, urging citizens to be aware of project allocations and to hold their leaders accountable.
With the backing of various anti-corruption organizations, AAIU annually recognizes public servants who demonstrate exceptional integrity and resist corrupt practices in their roles with the National Citizens Integrity Awards.
The nominees for these awards are chosen by the citizens themselves. “These honors can be revoked if the community chooses to do so. We have observed a notable increase in citizen engagement, which suggests they are starting to grasp their responsibilities,” he remarked.\
Additionally, Marlon Agaba, the Executive Director of ACCU, underscored the importance of asset recovery for individuals found guilty of embezzling public funds.
He stressed that though the IG and other anti-corruption agencies are performing commendably; the recovery rates remain low in relation to the losses.
“Just imagine recovering sh30bn out of the sh9 trillion lost. If the asset recovery law was in place, we could have reclaimed the assets of the offenders, liquidated them, and recovered our funds,” he stated.
Panelists
In discussing Parliament’s role in the budgeting process, Agnes Atim Apea, the Woman MP for Amolatar District, emphasized that Parliament mainly functions as a recipient of budget proposals, with the executive and various ministries responsible for the planning and formulation of budgets.
She highlighted the need for the government to involve itself from the very beginning of the process, starting at the Sub County level, due to the increasing prevalence of systemic corruption.
“At the parliamentary level, we operate through committees where the necessary scrutiny occurs. The committee’s role is to consolidate budget proposals for presentation on the floor,” she explained.
Doreen Kyazze from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) noted that procurement processes are now conducted online, with over 37 institutions having transitioned to digital platforms.
“We collaborate with civil society organizations as our partners in monitoring contract-related issues. To date, we have trained 28 agents who can provide real-time information. We have established a government procurement portal where contractors can submit their information for contract oversight,” she stated.
Jospehat Nuwabiine, the Stakeholders Engagement Director in the Office of the Auditor General, pointed out that the absence of standardized pricing for items creates significant challenges, as various suppliers present differing and often confusing price tags with multiple specifications.
Eric Odong from the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) remarked that the emerging trend of budgeting for corruption facilitates institutional corruption.
He said the practice creates an illusion that no wrongdoing has occurred, stressing that budgeting for corruption should serve as a wake-up call for everyone.
David Kizito from Transparency International Uganda stressed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to combat corruption effectively.
“It is essential for all relevant parties, government entities, investigative agencies, civil society, and international partners to come together. A united approach is crucial for a comprehensive fight against corruption,” he concluded.
They called for bolstering protections for whistleblowers, improve transparency in financial planning, enhance accountability mechanisms, address syndicated corruption, and elevate public awareness initiatives.
