Together, we can rid Uganda of corruption

Last Monday was the commemoration of the Anti-Corruption Day at Kololo Independence Grounds under the theme “Citizen’s participation in fight against corruption: A sustainable path to Uganda’s transformation.”

Corruption is prevalent nowadays mainly because people are hopeless about the situation. However, I believe if we all work together as Ugandans, we can fight and eliminate corruption in our country.

Despite modest improvements in the public perceptions of government anti-corruption efforts, the outlook for Uganda’s fight against corruption is not only the job of mandated agencies but a collective responsibility that calls for combined efforts to succeed. The fight against corruption must start with each ordinary citizen.

Anti-corruption programmes designed by the government and civil society organisations should aim at strengthening faith in citizens by making them realise how important and powerful they are in this fight, especially the young people, who tend to be more optimistic about their role. The government and civil society organisations should critically consider these factors in designing anti-corruption programmes, in addition to ensuring that reporting mechanisms are operationalised, impartial, efficient, and accessible to all citizens.

There is a need to put up a moral regeneration aimed at rooting out the evil of corruption in Uganda. There is some good work being done by some NGOs, but there is still so much to be done. Billboards and flyers condemning corruption should be put everywhere. There should be toll free hot lines in all public means of transport and other public places. Anti-corruption messages should constantly be aired on radios and televisions.

Many Ugandans think this fight is not about them and, therefore, have opted out of the war. Why should you pay a public servant for a service you have already paid him or her to offer through your taxes?

All sectors of the country, including churches, mosques, religious leaders and organisations, businessmen, among others, should work together in order to stamp out corruption.