The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi Ariganyira, has urged Local Government Internal Auditors to uphold professional ethics and integrity in the execution of their duties, warning that abuse of public office for personal gain undermines service delivery and fuels corruption.
Speaking as the guest of honour at the Local Government Internal Auditors Association annual general meeting held at White Horse Inn Hotel in Kabale Municipality on Friday, Minister Musasizi said auditors should recognise that the positions they occupy are held in trust on behalf of citizens and should not be treated as personal property or opportunities to accumulate wealth.
The meeting was held under the theme, “Strengthening Local Government Internal Audit for Accountability, Value for Money and Sustainable Economic Transformation.”
Minister Musasizi emphasized the importance of adhering to professional codes of ethics, particularly among accountants, auditors and public finance managers, saying ethical conduct provides a foundation for responsible leadership and public service.
“The code of professional ethics is very important for us professionals and leaders because it gives you the ability to know what to do and what not to do. When someone tells you that you are the head of treasury, you should understand that you are holding that position in trust. This is not your personal treasury or personal money. You are a steward,” Musasizi said.
He cautioned public officials against being carried away by the prestige and authority that come with leadership positions, stressing that such offices are intended to serve all Ugandans rather than individuals or particular regions.
Musasizi said that even when preparing the national budget, he considers the needs of the entire country, from Karamoja to Arua and Kisoro, emphasising that public resources should benefit citizens regardless of their geographical location.
He also condemned the practice of demanding kickbacks from contractors in exchange for awarding government projects, saying such conduct compromises the integrity of public institutions and undermines accountability.
Musasizi said he does not entertain requests for financial favours in exchange for assistance, adding that he is adequately facilitated to execute his responsibilities and has no justification for soliciting money from contractors or other individuals.
“I have heard that there are ministers who ask for a percentage when a project is awarded. They go to a contractor and say, ‘You have got this contract, you are going to give me 10 per cent.’ For me, those things are unacceptable,” he said.
He further warned that corruption involving auditors was particularly dangerous because it compromises their independence and ability to scrutinize public expenditure.
According to Minister Musasizi, an auditor who solicits bribes from public officials or contractors risks losing the objectivity required to identify financial irregularities and hold public institutions accountable.
“If you are an auditor and you ask for 10 per cent, your eyes will be closed. You will no longer audit because you will be compromised. That is the biggest source of corruption because you can no longer make rational decisions,” he said.
He urged accountants, auditors and other public servants to protect the reputation of their professions by refusing to engage in corrupt practices, regardless of the financial temptations associated with their positions.
CUE IN MINISTER MUSASIZI…ON THE MATTER…ENG//
Minister Musasizi said accountability, value for money and sustainable economic transformation were not merely abstract concepts but fundamental pillars of Uganda’s development agenda.
He warned that every shilling lost through fraud, waste, inefficiency or weak internal controls slows the country’s progress towards prosperity, while poorly implemented projects delay socio-economic transformation and undermine public trust in government institutions.
He described internal auditors as guardians of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, saying every shilling saved from waste, every fraud prevented, every control strengthened and every audit recommendation implemented contributes directly to national development.
Musasizi urged auditors to adopt a preventive approach by identifying weaknesses and addressing loopholes before financial losses occur, rather than waiting until public resources have been misappropriated.
CUE IN MINISTER MUSASIZI…ON VALUE FOR MONEY…ENG//
