As Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day on Sunday, Senior Presidential Advisor Peace Rugambwa has challenged women across the country to take a leading role in the fight against corruption.
Rugambwa noted that corruption and the embezzlement of public funds remain among the major obstacles to Uganda’s development. According to the Inspectorate of Government-IGG, corruption continues to drain a significant share of the country’s public resources each year, with Uganda estimated to lose nearly UGX 10 trillion annually through bribery, embezzlement, procurement fraud, and abuse of public office.
She emphasized that if the resources lost to corruption were properly safeguarded and invested in development programs, they would greatly improve livelihoods, strengthen public services, and accelerate socio-economic transformation across the country.
Rugambwa expressed optimism that greater involvement of women in the anti-corruption fight would help curb the vice. She also commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for championing the promotion and protection of women’s rights in Uganda, noting that his leadership has created opportunities for women to serve in political offices, business, and other sectors.
CUE IN RUGAMBWA …. ON CORRUPTION…RR//
She further encouraged women to establish small-scale industries as a way of promoting wealth creation, saying such initiatives would make it easier for government to support and fund them. Rugambwa also urged women to embrace government programs such as the Parish Development Model, noting that it can help improve household incomes and reduce poverty.
CUE IN RUGAMBWA… ON WEALTH CREATION…RR//
This year’s International Women’s Day celebrations are being held under the theme: “Scaling up investment to accelerate access to justice for all women and girls in Uganda.”
