Thieves share loot with churches, mosques- IGG Kamya
IGG Beti Kamya
What you need to know:
- IGG accelerates gear on corruption fight as world honors Anti-corruption Day
As the world commemorates International Anti-Corruption Day (December 9, 2024), the country’s Inspector General of Government (IG) has called upon Ugandans to step up their fight against the vice that is continuously eroding development in the country.
Speaking to members of the congregation at Rubaga Cathedral on Sunday, Ms Beti Kamya, said that corruption will not stop unless everyone gets involved to fight it.
“Most of the people who steal public funds, share it with us, including the church and mosques .....So, I am calling upon this congregation, in this church, to do a personal reflection on how you must undermine the evil of corruption. The potholes, poor education system, health system, and underemployment is because of corruption,” Ms Kamya said.
Instead of rebuking the actions of accused corrupt individuals, Ms Kamya added that some Ugandans tend to publicly defend them.
“Many times we hear of people who have been accused of corruption and what do we do when they are taken to court, the whole village comes out to protest against the arrest. They come out to show solidarity with the person accused of corruption. I am here to call upon each one of you, in your own space, to reflect on what you are doing to either fight or promote corruption,” she said.
With this year’s theme being, “promoting effective participation of the youth in the war against corruption,” Ms Kamya also advised the younger generation to actively get involved in the corruption fight movement, including reporting related cases.
“If you know people who are building mansions when they are just government employees, report them to the Inspectorate of Government and we shall investigate if they cannot explain how they got money for building that mansion, we shall confiscate and auction it, and thereafter bring back the money to the public confers and you who has brought us the information, by law, you are entitled to 5 percent of the money that has been recovered,” Mr Kamya said.
Despite its efforts in curbing corruption, the Inspectorate of Government has previously said corruption will continue thriving because of the continued disregard or violation of laws, rules, and regulations. Uganda lost at least Shs 30 billion to the corrupt and registered about 2, 377 graft-related complaints in the Financial Year 2023/2024, Kamya said back in September.
Ms Kamya spoke after the Vice Chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese, Father Emmanuel Ssebayigga urged Christians to embrace this Christmas season as a period of forgiveness and reconciliation.
“This holiday season, I suggest that instead of exchanging gifts, some family members need to exchange apologies, to say sorry to one another, to reconcile, to settle old disputes and make peace,” Father Ssebayigga said.
He added: “Let go of old grievances. Why keep the pain, anger from January to December, carrying hatred to the extent that when you look at a person and smell their scent, you feel that you want to die. Dear friends, let us extend forgiveness and offer a hand of peace.”
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