IGG reflects on 38 years of fighting corruption

The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Olive Namisango Kamya Turomwe, has revealed that fighting corruption is a painful job.

"Fighting corruption is a painful job, "Kamya disclosed while reflecting on the hardships that people go through while accessing services, the rate of accidents victims recorded at Mulago National Referral hospital.

This as the entity prepares to mark the 38th anniversary of the IG's establishment on September 18, 2024, she has candidly shared the challenges and rewards of her role.

" We will ruse the opportunity to rally the public to young the IG in the fight against corruption and implore them not to be spectators but actors in this war, " Kamya pleaded.

Kamya describes the fight against corruption as a painful endeavor, given the severe impact corruption has on service delivery in Uganda.In the financial year 2023/24, the IG's efforts yielded significant results, with over 30 billion shillings recovered from corrupt practices.

However, the battle is far from over. Corruption remains a severe issue in Uganda, with reports indicating that the country loses more than 10 trillion shillings annually due to corrupt activities.

Despite these challenges, the IG has seen a notable increase in public engagement.

During the past financial year, the IG received 2,377 complaints related to corruption, the Ombudsman, and leadership conduct. Of these complaints, 1,260 were from the head office, and 1,117 were from the 16 regional offices.

A substantial 91.8% of these cases were sanctioned for investigation, demonstrating the IG's commitment to addressing corruption thoroughly.

To further bolster public engagement and transparency, the IG has organized an open interaction event on September 18 at Railway Grounds in Kampala. This event will include the registration of complaints and consultations, allowing citizens to directly participate in the fight against corruption.

Kamya emphasises that combating corruption is a collective responsibility, underscoring the need for ongoing public support and vigilance.

As the IG continues its mission, the 38th anniversary serves as both a reflection on past achievements and a reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring a corruption-free Uganda.