Lokodo hits back at TI corruption index report, says it is biased

The minister of Ethics and integrity, Rev Fr Simon Lokodo. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • The minister however had no kind words for the judiciary, accusing them of stifling government efforts in fighting corruption by issuing uncalled for injunctions.
  • He said several government programs are on hold because the courts keep on issuing injunctions which delays the process and making it more expensive to investigate and prosecute corrupt official.

The minister of Ethics and integrity, Rev Fr Simon Lokodo has accused the transparency international of persistent negativity towards Uganda and its fight against corruption.

“Every year they come up with a report, I always question what parameters they use to determine the position of Uganda worldwide in corruption indices and the progress that they are giving us is not what I want to believe is genuine, because we have made heavy strides, very long strides in the fight against corruption.” Rev Fr Lokodo said.

The 2017 global corruption index report placed Uganda at position of 151 in the ranking, the same position it was in last year, scoring only 26 percent.

The report made reference to huge financial losses the country has suffered over the years because of corruption. It also took a swipe at the government for harassing civic actors and journalists who have exposed such corruption cases and warned government to stop arresting such journalists.

However, the report angered the government officials, saying it is politically motivated to make Uganda appear as if nothing is being done to fight the vice.

The minister said, government agencies charged with fighting corruption and fraud cases are not sleeping, but continue to work day and night to ensure that corruption ends.

“I can tell you every day there is something always happening and we are reducing the comfort of being corrupt, we are managing the corrupt and we are breaking up all their strings, ties and set ups. So to say we are always increasing in corruption instead of decreasing is a little bit of unfair,” he retorted.
He said the different government agencies under the inter agency forum are investigating high profile cases and already some of the culprits have been apprehended.

“For example in this year, the IGG, URA and CIID have investigated and continue to investigate very high profile cases of corruption and tax fraud including the ministry of local government,” he boasted.
He also cited other government ministries and agencies that are being investigated for corruption, such as the Office of Prime Minister, the ministry of education, public service, health, works and the Rural Electrification Agency-REA.

“You know in rural electrification agency there is a lot of dirt and we are inside, people are already shivering. We are also investigating OPM, ministry of health, education, works, and the refugee scandal we are on it and already we have picked the four officers of refugee camps in Arua. They are here with us and that is to show you that we are holding the situation by its horns,” he said.

He said since the formation of Inter Agency Forum, the success rate of prosecutions and convictions have shot up. He attributed this to well-coordinated investigations which give no room for maneuvers.

“The inspectorate of government and the directorate of public prosecutions have successfully prosecuted very many cases with conviction rate of over 70%. Can you imagine that, and you say there is no seriousness in fight against corruption?” Fr Lokodo questioned.

Minister Lokodo said the ongoing prosecutions of the former works minister, Abraham Byandala and a host of other government officials shows that government does not tolerate corruption.

“The former minister of works, honourable Abraham Byandala, we are following him, the former accountant in the office of Prime Minister, Kazinda. You know some fresh charges were slapped on him recently, so the guy is going to stay there. You remember the former permanent secretary of local government who had run away? He is now back and is in our hands. The registrar of land, you know the famous and powerful untouchable Kulata, we got hold of her.”

He questioned the spirit of the report and the organisation, saying they need to do more than simply portraying Uganda as a corrupt country.
“And so why are you saying things are not happening? There should be some reason to show confidence that government is really working.”

The minister however had no kind words for the judiciary, accusing them of stifling government efforts in fighting corruption by issuing uncalled for injunctions.

He said several government programs are on hold because the courts keep on issuing injunctions which delays the process and making it more expensive to investigate and prosecute corrupt official.