Speaker Among declares wealth, calls for compliance to build public trust

Speaker of Parliament Ms Anita Among has taken a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability by declaring her income, assets, and liabilities to the Inspectorate of Government, complying with the Leadership Code Act, 2002.

Ms Among encouraged other leaders to follow suit, emphasising that declaring wealth is crucial for tracking changes in wealth over time.

“In accordance with the Leadership Code Act, which mandates all public officers to declare their income, assets, and liabilities, I have submitted my declaration to the Inspectorate of Government. I have also received the declarations from the Inspector General of Government and her two deputies. This exercise aims to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust in governance,” she posted on her X platform on March 13, 2025.

The Speaker's declaration is a positive move, especially since only 37 per cent of leaders have declared their wealth so far, according to the IGG.

The Online-Declaration System, which facilitates the declaration process, will close on March 31, 2025. According to the IGG, failure to declare wealth would have severe consequences, including removal from office.

The IGG Betty Kamya, and her deputies also declared their wealth to the Speaker, as required by law. This move demonstrates the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.

Section 4 (1) (b) of the Leadership Code Act requires a leader to declare their income, assets and liabilities to the IGG every two years during the month of March and prescribes penalties for breach of the Leadership Code of Conduct.