Over 50% of leaders yet to declare their wealth

Over 50 percent of the leaders across the country are yet to declare their incomes, assets, and liabilities to the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) as required by law under the Leadership Code Act, 2002.
 
The exercise, which started on March 1, 2025 is supposed to close on March 31, 2025.
 
Dr Patricia Achan Okiria, the Deputy IGG said on Tuesday, that about 44 percent of the leaders in the country had so far declared and over 50 percent are yet.

“Nationally, we established that the response was so far at 44 percent but I believe it will improve. I therefore, ask the leaders to comply because the Leadership Code of Conduct expects the leaders to live within a certain minimum standard of behavior and one of which is they're expected to declare their assets, their incomes and liabilities every two years,” she said.
 
Dr Achan made the remarks during her visit to the districts of Moroto and Kotido in Karamoja Sub-region on Monday and Tuesday in a bid to sensitise leaders to embrace the exercise and also to carry out spot checks on government entities including,  public hospitals, roads, among others.
 
The declaration of incomes, assets and liabilities by leaders in Moroto District stood at 25 percent,  in Kotido District at 19 percent and in Kotido municipality at 30 percent by March 18, 2025.
 
Dr Achan blamed the slow response in the mineral-rich, restive Sub-region to poor internet network and lack of email addresses among the leaders since the exercise is being done through an Online Declaration System.
  
“Moroto and other districts in Karamoja Sub-region being far-off, some leaders have challenges with emails. Some of them have forgotten the emails they opened previously, and they have got to open new emails,” she said.
 
She, however, said the IGG has sent teams to respective districts to work with focal point persons to support the leaders to declare so that the target of 100 percent compliance is achieved.
 
“The leaders should also know that there are penalties for non-declaration provided for within the Leadership Code Act. They include dismissal from office and fines, or the property you've acquired illicitly, which you have failed to explain, can be forfeited to the government of Uganda,” she said.
 
Dr Achan said the objective of declaration of incomes, assets, and liabilities promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance among leaders to ensure effective service delivery in the country.

Mr Joram Jaram Magezi, Director of the Leadership Code, said low turnout is a worrying trend, stating that most of the leaders tend to declare their assets on the last day, which is not secure.
 
“This exercise should be done in three months when one assumes office and routinely after every two years and those who don’t comply risk being prosecuted, fined and ejected out of office,” he said.
 
Mr Magezi explained that after the declaration exercise, the IGG conducts the verifications to establish the truth.
 
Mr David Lokure, the Kotido District IT officer,however, said leaders are not acquainted with the Online system, stating that some of them have no email addresses.