The Deputy Inspector General of Government, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, has urged Members of Parliament to take a leading role in mobilising citizens to report corruption and maladministration in their communities.
Muhairwe made the appeal on Wednesday while appearing before Parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee during an engagement on the Inspectorate of Government’s work and priorities.
She said Uganda’s fight against corruption continues to be undermined by deeply entrenched societal attitudes and beliefs that discourage whistleblowing while, in some cases, glorifying corrupt individuals.
“It is a very big challenge because some people now glorify the corrupt while others are discouraged from reporting corruption. However, you can help us change this mindset because you have a great deal of influence,” she told legislators.
She said MPs are well placed to influence public attitudes because of their close relationship with the communities they represent.
Responding to questions about the recent interdiction of local government officials by Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, Muhairwe welcomed the move as a timely intervention against growing impunity in local governments.
She, however, cautioned that such actions should be undertaken within the confines of the law to avoid exposing government to costly civil litigation.
“Strengthening institutional systems is a more sustainable approach in the long run,” she said.
Muhairwe explained that ministers do not directly interdict public officers but instead act through accounting officers such as Permanent Secretaries and Chief Administrative Officers, who implement the process in accordance with the Public Service Standing Orders.
She also defended the Inspectorate’s investigative approach, saying the institution is bound by the principles of natural justice and cannot act outside the law.
“The Inspectorate of Government cannot subvert the very law it is mandated to enforce. Our investigations must be thorough, evidence-based and procedurally sound. Any departure from the principles of natural justice would not only undermine public confidence but also expose our actions to successful civil litigation,” she said.
Muhairwe outlined the Inspectorate’s priorities for the coming financial year, including institutionalising intelligence-led and prosecution-driven investigations, deploying artificial intelligence-powered leadership code verification systems, strengthening asset tracing and recovery, mainstreaming transparency, accountability and anti-corruption programmes across government institutions, and enhancing compliance with the Inspectorate’s recommendations.
The Secretary to the Inspectorate of Government, Rose Kafeero, told the committee that the institution has embarked on a comprehensive digital transformation programme to automate its systems and business processes in line with the government’s digital agenda.
She said the initiative is expected to improve operational efficiency, strengthen service delivery and enhance the Inspectorate’s capacity to prevent and combat corruption.
Muhairwe reaffirmed the Inspectorate’s commitment to working closely with Parliament, government institutions, accountability agencies, civil society, the private sector and the public to strengthen integrity, promote accountable governance and intensify the fight against corruption.
