We should observe zero-tolerance to corruption in all govt departments

Following the recent suspension of financial aid due to massive corruption in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), one wonders, how entrenched corruption is, in this government.

The authenticity of the report into the loss of funds in OPM remains highly questionable in terms of its ability to comprehensively account and elaborate how funds were misappropriated.

To a rational mind, such massive corruption is despicable and done with ill-mannered intent. This reveals not only lack of financial management but also continued delinquency by government officials in abusing office and power, among other vices.

Although in 2006 President Museveni announced ‘zero-tolerance’ to corruption following several corruption scandals in government, to date, less has been achieved. Notably, the 2006 Global Integrity report on Uganda estimated that, about $950 million is lost to corruption annually.

In this report, personalities close to government officials and even, the executive head are named. They include former Health minister and his deputies over misappropriating $2 million from the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation in 2005, oil exploration procurement scandal in 2007 which involved contract by Kenlloyd to replenish Uganda’s oil reserves run by the son-in-law of the Foreign Minister.

Such scandals that proclaim government personalities reveal the extent of corruption within the government The EU, UK, World Bank etc have suspended approximately $300 million promised as budgetary support up to 2013 following the massive corruption in the OPM.

The government had planned to spend about Shs750 billion on agriculture, water and environment in the financial year 2012/13; sectors eminently vital for economic growth and development. This infers that, with the suspension of aid, the lives of citizens will be highly affected. The question remains as to whether the government will realise its goals as envisaged in its financial plans of 2012/13. This seems highly uncertain.

Against this background and cognisance of going ons, we, as a nation must foster regulatory measures from our political leaders. This nation must press laws and regulations within its monitoring and evaluation of tasks in every department so as to ascertain that, the expenditures made equal the targeted objectives.

In doing so, it is paramount that, as citizens, we must seek accountability and transparency, especially when dubious tendencies are suspected; let’s keep the vigilance to rid this nation of corruption and the corrupt.

Alexander M Ndiku,
nmbaraga@gmail.com