KAMPALA-UGANDA/NEWSDAY:
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has rallied the public to always volunteer enough information to facilitate successful prosecution of corrupt officers in public offices.
To this end, the public has been reminded of the hefty commissions payable to those who volunteer information that leads to the recovery of stolen public funds.
Beti Olive Kamya Turomwe, the Inspector General of Government (IGG) says they are prioritizing increased public awareness on corruption to ensure an informed citizenry willing to fight corruption, a vice that deprives Ugandans of essential services.
Addressing journalists during a press conference held at the Inspectorate Offices on Tuesday, the IGG cited common breaches in the District Service Commissions (DSC) recruitments include; nepotism, bribery, political interference, recruitment of non-qualified staff and falsification of qualifications, among others.
Simon Ogwal Kajura, the Director of Anti-Corruption said the Inspectorate has introduced the rewards system under the Whistle Blowers Act, 2010 that allows a person who volunteers information on corruption to be rewarded 5 percent of the total recovered money in corruption.
On 26 January 2023, while officiating at the 37th National Resistance Movement Day celebrations in Kakumiro and Mubende District, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni decried the rampant corruption in District Service Commissions citing sell of public jobs for money, political patronage and sex among others.
Currently, the Inspectorate is investigating over 800 cases of corruption and abuse of office relating to irregular recruitment processes by the different District Service Commissions in Local Government across the country.
Ogwal observed that they are only able to secure only 35 percent conviction rate of all cases of corruption reported to the Inspectorate because those who have implicating evidence prefer silence over their civic duties to report evils in the society for redress.
The latest complaints the Inspectorate is investigating include Iganga District Service Commission following irregular recruitment of 47 teachers without advertisement in September 2022. Findings faulted the Secretary to the Commission for forging minute extracts that led to the appointment of non-selected candidates.
Equally, the Inspectorate has implicated the Secretary of Mitooma District Service Commission and recommended the disbandment of Rakai District Service Commission over irregular recruitment exercises deemed to violate Section 55 (8) of the Local Government Act, 2017 as amended.
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