The Inspector General of Government Beti Olive Kamya has revealed that over Shs10 trillion shillings is lost every year to corruption tendencies among government officials.
While speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Center ahead of the International Anti-Corruption day slated for December, 9, 202, Kamya said the monies are lost to the declaration of taxes, non-declaration, inflated pricing, botched procurement, absenteeism of workers among other factors.
She says this report is included in a recent study commissioned by the IGG to establish possible loss of funds in government entities.
“The money is lost mainly through none and under declaration of taxes, non-declaration and under declaration of utility user fees, absenteeism from work, inflated payrolls with ghost workers and service consumers like students and teachers. Almost every payroll in schools and hospitals has these ghosts,”
— Kamya said.
She revealed that in line with this year’s theme, the government is involving its citizens in the fight against corruption by encouraging their vigilance, holding leaders accountable, and reporting corrupt officials.
“Corruption will not go away tomorrow because it is as old as humanity but what we have decided is that the new thing is to involve the public in the war against corruption. Whereas in the past the public were mere observers and commentators, our focus now is to see they join the war against corruption.”
Speaking at the same press briefing, State Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Rose Lilly Akello hailed the IGG for efforts in curbing corruption that have led to the recovery of 30 billion shillings, prosecution of 86 suspects, and 34 sentences since 2020.
She added that the office of the Auditor General has led to the recovery of shs 175 billion.
This year’s main celebrations will happen in Ibanda district and will be officiated by Norbert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
