"Uganda launches people's war against corruption" - Inspector General of Government urges public action
In a groundbreaking initiative, Uganda's Inspector General of Government, Beti Kamya Turwomwe, has unveiled a new strategy to combat corruption by involving the general public in the fight against this pervasive issue.
Speaking at a recent event, Turwomwe disclosed Uganda's Corruption Perception Index, standing at a disheartening 26% according to Transparency International.
The initiative, dubbed the "People's War," aims to mobilize citizens to take ownership of the fight against corruption, recognizing them as the true victims of this systemic problem.
Madam Turwomwe emphasized the need for a societal transformation, urging Ugandans to connect poor service delivery directly to corruption.
Highlighting the disparities in access to public resources, Madam Turwomwe underscored that a mere fraction of Uganda's population holds decision-making power over public funds.
"With less than 50,000 individuals having such authority out of a population of 46 million, she called upon Ugandans to challenge this imbalance and actively participate in exposing corrupt practices"
"As part of the campaign, citizens are encouraged to use smartphones to document instances of corruption, including lavish lifestyles of government officials beyond their known sources of income"
Madam Turwomwe stressed the importance of societal pressure, stating that corrupt individuals should fear the scrutiny and disapproval of their neighbors and communities.
Moreover, Turwomwe addressed public servants directly, holding them accountable for their roles in preventing and combating corruption.
"From accounting officers to middle managers and even drivers and office attendants, all levels of the public sector were urged to play a part in eradicating corrupt practices"
Despite facing criticism and pushback from some top civil servants, Turwomwe remained steadfast in her commitment to inciting public action against corruption, emphasizing that transparency and accountability are paramount in building a corruption-free society.
"The initiative marks a significant step forward in Uganda's fight against corruption, with Turwomwe's message resonating strongly with the public"
As Ugandans rally behind the People's War, the nation moves towards a future where corruption is no longer tolerated, and the voices of the people prevail in the battle against corruption.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith