The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) says it has recovered about Shs41.9 billion through its efforts to combat corruption and strengthen public governance.
IGG Inspector General of Government, Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, said the institution also recommended Shs2.35 billion for payment to individuals whose employment benefits had been denied during the 2025/2026 financial year.
She said administrative injustice remains a major hurdle to Uganda’s development, with citizens facing delays in accessing vital government services and documents, as well as workplace victimisation.
Batala made the remarks on Monday during a press briefing ahead of the International Ombuds Day, which will be commemorated on October 8 under the theme, “Ombuds: Office of Options.”
According to the IGG, Ombudsman-related matters accounted for 37 per cent of all complaints investigated and concluded by the Inspectorate during the 2025/2026 financial year.
The Inspectorate said it resolved 1,011 Ombudsman cases across central and local government entities during the financial year, while Shs2.353 billion was recommended for payment following interventions in cases involving denied employment benefits.
Batala said the common complaints received by the Ombudsman include delayed payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, delays in obtaining National Identification Cards, land titles and passports, and irregular access to government payroll.
She also cited irregular recruitment processes, malicious interdictions and victimisation of whistleblowers by their superiors among the workplace grievances reported to the Inspectorate.
The IGG said most of the complaints arise at the local government level, where citizens have direct interaction with government services.
Batala said the Ombudsman’s mandate is to promote adherence to the rule of law and principles of natural justice, resolve complaints related to maladministration and delays in service delivery, and enforce transparency and accountability across government institutions.
She said the Ombudsman provides citizens with alternatives to costly and adversarial court processes through mediation, early advice, informal intervention and targeted recommendations.
The Inspectorate will conduct an Ombuds Action Week during the second week of October, with all 16 regional offices expected to hold community-level clinics and outreaches to receive and resolve complaints.
The activities will be conducted in partnership with institutions including the Judicial Service Commission, National Identification and Registration Authority, Uganda Police Force and local government authorities.
The IGG has urged citizens experiencing workplace injustice, delayed benefits or administrative neglect to come forward during the Ombuds Week under the campaign slogan #TalkToTheOmbudsman.
