Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth (C), receives the Inspectorate of Government’s 55th Bi-Annual Performance Report from Inspector General of Government Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala (L) as Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi (R) looks on. PHOTO/IBRAHIM KAVUMA
What you need to know:
- Mr Oboth described corruption in Uganda as an industry, noting that perpetrators were becoming increasingly sophisticated in concealing the theft of public resources.
Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth has called for increased funding, additional staffing and stronger enforcement of anti-corruption laws to energise the fight against graft in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Inspectorate of Government’s 55th Bi-Annual Performance Report on Monday, Mr Oboth described corruption in Uganda as an industry, noting that perpetrators were becoming increasingly sophisticated in concealing the theft of public resources.
“Corruption is not done in the forest. It is among us. It is also an industry, internationally known, and those in it are learning how to steal without being caught,” he said.
Mr Oboth, who received the performance report from Inspector General of Government Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala, pledged Parliament’s role in fighting corruption, committing that the staffing gap of about 168 alluded to by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, will be addressed.
“The law is not static,” he said, adding that he had directed the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, to submit parliamentary recommendations to the Inspectorate for action.
He also urged Parliament’s Budget Committee to consider additional funding for the agency to enable it to execute its mandate effectively.
The 55th Bi-Annual Performance Report covers the Inspectorate’s investigation details, prosecutions, enforcement of the Leadership Code and interventions against maladministration in public service.
The IGG said in the report that investigations into corruption led to the recovery of approximately Shs41.6b in cash and assets.
The agency also recommended Shs1.5 billion in compensation for complainants through its Ombudsman interventions.
It boasted an 89.7% conviction rate of corruption cases by the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court and the Leadership Code Tribunal.
Wealth declaration
The report further shows that 241,230 of the 302,800 registered public officers declared their income, assets and liabilities during the April 2026 declaration period, representing an 80 per cent compliance rate.
However, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi questioned whether arrests made in corruption investigations were consistently followed by prosecutions.
Mr Ssenyonyi warned that arresting suspects without subsequent legal action risked turning anti-corruption operations into “showbiz”.
He also questioned the criteria used to prosecute some suspects while others appeared to be spared, saying the inconsistencies were confusing to the public.
He called for greater transparency and consistency in prosecutorial decisions, as well as effective follow-up on corruption investigations.
Lady Justice Batala appealed for increased funding, recruitment and retention of specialised personnel, and stronger legal and institutional support.
She pledged to strengthen investigations, asset tracking and recovery, enforcement of the Leadership Code, Ombudsman services, public awareness and monitoring of government projects.
The IGG also presented the Inspectorate’s Strategic Plan for 2025/26–2029/30, its Client Charter and information materials to the Speaker.
Deputy Inspector General of Government Anne Twino highlighted the Inspectorate’s Ombudsman function in addressing maladministration, promoting administrative justice and providing avenues for resolving complaints against public institutions and officers.
The engagement coincided with the commemoration of International Ombuds Day, observed on October 8 under the theme, “Ombuds: Office of Options.”