Lucky P
The Government of Uganda has begun nationwide consultations to develop a new National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2025–2030), a plan aimed at intensifying the fight against corruption and ensuring that officials implicated in graft are prosecuted.
The move follows a recent report by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), which revealed that the country loses an estimated 10 trillion shillings each year to corruption money that could significantly improve public service delivery.
The Directorate of Ethics, Policy, and Standards in the Office of the President has embarked on a series of stakeholder engagement meetings across the country. The sessions seek views from the public and key sectors on how Uganda can strengthen the war against corruption.
Speaking during one such meeting at the Kabarole District headquarters in Kitumba, Moses Makumbi, Commissioner for Ethics, Policy, and Standards, emphasized the urgency of forming a strong, forward-looking strategy.
The consultative meeting attracted a wide range of participants, including business leaders, civil society organizations, clergy, the media, security agencies, judiciary representatives, and local government officials.
The last National Anti-Corruption Strategy expired in 2024. Makumbi noted several achievements during its implementation, including: Amendment of the Leadership Code Act to require all civil servants not just senior officials to declare their assets, Increased funding for anti-corruption bodies from 60.6 billion to 88.2 billion shillings, Improved coordination among anti-corruption agencies, Adoption of digital tools to speed up the recovery of stolen public funds.
Despite these gains, Makumbi said the persistence of corruption remains a major concern for the President. He urged civil society groups to continue raising awareness and reporting cases of graft within public service.
During the discussions, participants highlighted additional challenges affecting anti-corruption efforts.
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Hakiza Arthur underscored the moral dimension of corruption, arguing that salary disparities across government institutions demoralize workers and fuel unethical behavior. He noted that employees in local governments earn far less than those in agencies and universities.
Meanwhile, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Ssekabiito Joseph suggested that government consider merging multiple anti-corruption agencies into a single, more efficient entity to reduce duplication and improve coordination.
Balinda Resty Mbaijana, Kabarole’s Secretary for Works and Technical Services, raised concerns about the current hybrid procurement system. She said delays in centrally procured projects often lead to funds being returned to the treasury, sparking public suspicion and hindering service delivery.
As consultations continue across the country, the insights gathered will inform the development of a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and efficient governance.
The government hopes the new 2025–2030 National Anti-Corruption Strategy will mark a decisive shift in the fight against corruption and restore public confidence in public institutions.