On 29 January 1986 Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed Ugandans for the first time as

national leader: No one should think that what is happening today is a mere change of guard;
it is a fundamental change in the politics of our country. Given that Uganda had been led by
seven presidents and a presidential commission in the preceding seven years, few could have
expected that Museveni would remain at the helm 30 years later.

The National Resistance Army and its political wing, the National Resistance Movement
(NRM), took power after a bush war that began in 1980. The NRMs ten-point programme,
debated and agreed during 1984, sought to usher in a new and better future for the long-
suffering people of Uganda on the back of a grassroots campaign to seize power. It promised
a peaceful, democratic future, free from corruption, and with basic services and economic
opportunity for all citizens.

credited Uganda for formulating the best policies, laws and institutions to fight corruption
and steer the country to a middle income country. But according to some analysts and
observers Ugandas biggest challenge is implementation of the policies and this is largely
attributed to the lack of political will from top leadership.

Uganda under the NRM regime collects more revenue in taxes and has received countless
funds in form of foreign aid from the World Bank, IMF, developed countries like the United
Kingdom (UK) United States of America (USA), Ireland, Sweden, Norway and many more
other countries. Many of the donor partners have on several occasions suspended their Aid to
Uganda largely due to the high levels of corruption.

The NRM is determined to decisively fight corruption. This is a war that we vow to fight to
the end. We will continue pursuing the policy of zero tolerance to corruption through the
various legal frameworks and institutions that we have put in place.

The recently passed Anti-Corruption Amendments Act 2013 that provides for the confiscation
of the properties of those convicted of corruption will be implemented to the spirit and letter.
Also, the Whistle Blowers Act 2010, which allows people to report cases of corruption and
guarantee them protection, will be popularized to encourageitsuse. We will continue putting
pressure on public officials to account.

As the government steps up its economic development activities, it must also improve the
operational effectiveness of its northern military units and end the high level military
corruption that encourages some military officers to allow the northern conflict to drag on.
The persistence and spread of grand corruption (including corruption by members of the first
family and their associates) to the point that it constitutes a drag on economic growth while
undermining the legitimacy of the Museveni regime.
Corruption is defined by Transparency International (TI) as the misuse of power for personal
gain. The common forms of corruption
include bribery, patronage, nepotism, embezzlement, fraud, extortion, tax evasion,
falsification of documents, collusion and
forgery. In Uganda today, the most serious form of corruption is one involving stealing public
resources for personal gains.
Corruption is now the biggest and persistent challenge threatening the major historical gains
made under the leadership of
President Museveni in the last 25 years.
Achievements under elimination of corruption
Government has laid the foundation for fighting corruption:
i) Strategy
Government has declared zero tolerance policy in the corruption strategy policy documents;
National Anti-corruption Strategy 2004-07
The National Strategy to fight corruption and rebuild Ethics and Integrity in Uganda
2008-2013
ii) Laws
The following laws on combating corruption have been passed;
The leadership code of 2002
To ensure that leaders declare their assets and liabilities and those of their spouses and
children below 18 years.
The Inspectorate of Government Act of 2002
The Act mandates the Inspector General of Government to investigate and prosecute
corruption and abuse of office
Access to information Act of 2005
This legislation empowers the public to demand for information from government institutions
to ensure transparency
The Anti-corruption Act of 2009
All the laws on corruption were consolidated into the above Act.
The Whistleblowers Protection Act of 2010
The whistleblowers Protection Act was intended to encourage disclosure of misconduct by
public/private leaders and
officers. The Act gives confidence to people to report the corrupt without fear of retribution.
 Anti Money Laundering Bill
The development of an Anti-money Laundering legislation commenced and the relevant Bill
is before Parliament.
Proceeds of Crime Bill
The Government signed and ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption
(UNCAC) and the African Union Convention for Preventing and Combating Corruption. The
combined effect of the provisions of these treaties is to oblige the Government to introduce
into its domestic legislative framework laws pertaining to the recovery of the proceeds of
corruption and other crime. The provisions of this proposed law empower the Government to
seize and confiscate the profits of those found to be engaging in corrupt activities and so raise
the risk threshold of corrupt activities and thus operate as a deterrent of further criminal
tendency.

iii) Anti-corruption agencies

In addition, government has set up several anti-corruption agencies;
The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) which has made progress in combating
corruption and abuse of office.
The Public Accounts Committee PAC
The Judiciary- especially, the Anti-corruption Court.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions,
The Criminal Investigations Department
The Office of Auditor General
The District Public Accounts Committee,
The Parliamentary Local Governments Accounts Committee

References
Getting the most out of local government: Lessons from Uganda, International Growth
Centre, 24 June 2015

2. ARI interview with Nicholas Opiyo, 29 January 2016

3. K. Williams, The challenge and meaning of justice in northern Uganda, African Security
View 16(1), 2007, pp. 68-83
4. ARI Interview with Stephen Oola, 26 January 2016

5. R. Wanambwa, Uganda is akin to a police state Uganda Law Society, Daily Monitor,
14 April 2011

6. Y. Museveni, Sowing the mustard seed: The struggle for freedom and democracy in
Uganda, Moran Publishers, 1997

7. J. Powell, Karamoja: a literature review, Saferworld, March 2010

8. Enno entebe ewooma Luganda proverb

9. ARI interview with Nicholas Opiyo, 29 January 2016

10. Eroded? Institutional trust suffers as perceived corruption increases, Afrobarometer, 25

September 2015

11. Judge John Bosco quoted in Letting the Big Fish Swim: Failures to prosecute high-level
corruption in Uganda, Human Rights Watch, 21 October 2013

12. Y. Museveni, Sowing the mustard seed: The struggle for freedom and democracy in
Uganda, Moran Publishers, 1997, p. 219
Youth unemployment and job creation in Uganda: Opportunities and challenges,
Advocates for Coalition for Development and Environment, Infosheet 26, 2014, p.2
Poverty Status Report 2014: Structural change and poverty reduction in Uganda, Ministry
of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, November 2014, p.7