Auditor General announces digital platform to attract youth in graft fight

The Government has built a user-friendly digital application to enable youth to increasingly participate in the fight against corruption. 

At the climax of the Anti-corruption convention week in Kampala, the Auditor General, Mr Edward Akol, on December 5 revealed that the ‘Citizen Feedback Platform’ tool allows youth to report corruption tendencies in real-time, thereby cutting out the red-tape processes believed to discourage many from active participation in corruption.

The platform, which allows persons reporting corruption to file evidence in the formats of video, text, audio, and photos, will also be boosted by a toll-free line that is yet to be launched. 

The week-long event was held under the theme “promoting effective participation of the youth in the war against corruption”. It attracted anti-graft agencies drawn from the government, private sector, and development partners.

“This year’s theme underscores the critical role young people play in shaping the future of governance and integrity,” Mr Akol said, and invited the youth “to embrace key initiatives that anti-corruption agencies have put in place to enhance the fight against corruption”.

Whereas he credited youth and private sector players in the fight against graft, Mr Akol demanded that the “government agencies must lead by example in the fight against corruption. If government institutions demonstrate integrity, deliver on the promises, and provide the required services effectively, we will serve as role models for the youth.”

Mr Akol's call was lauded by several stakeholders including the Civil Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) and the Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM) who jointly demanded deeper efforts be committed towards curbing graft in the country.

In addition to the digital platforms to be popularised to the citizens, the Executive Director of CSBAG Mr Julius Mukunda emphasized the need to strengthen “accountability systems through tightening legislative roles to enhance budget credibility”.

He reasoned that it is through such mechanisms that leakages such as those within the government payroll system will be closed.

“The mismanagement of payroll, including budgeting for non-existent staff, using incorrect salary scales, failing to remove departed employees from payroll, is a clear example of budgeting for corruption,” Mr Mukunda said.

He added: “These anomalies not only distort the budget but also undermine the government's ability to allocate funds effectively, exacerbating financial inefficiencies and contributing to the misuse of public resources.”

Like other stakeholders at the convention, Mr Mukunda advised that stronger efforts be devoted to corruption because graft “continues to deprive ordinary citizens of the services that are due to them, and it is worsened by the inaction of those in authority”.

EU concern

The Danish Ambassador to Uganda Ms Signe Winding Albjerg decried the force meted out on the youth by security forces when they staged protests against the vice in government institutions like Parliament.

“It also helps the youth that face and feel the consequences of corruption. We saw earlier this year that the youth both in Uganda and neighboring countries took to the streets making a passionate call on stakeholders, especially in their own governments to take action against corruption,” she said.

Ms Albjerg added: “We need to challenge ourselves that we make space for the youth to play their role in the best way possible they can in the fight against corruption.”

She now urges State authorities to heed Mr Akol’s call on inclusively allowing youth to play a vital role in curbing the vice.

“It is an avenue to renew our commitment to jointly fight corruption. It is therefore of crucial importance that we join forces in the fight against corruption,” Ms Albjerg said.