Museveni announces war on corruption at Kyankwanzi

President Museveni vows to crush corruption in Uganda
The country loses Shs9.7 trillion every year to corruption
New special units under State House will supervise accounting officers

While opening the Cabinet Introspection Retreat in Kyankwanzi, Museveni noted that the Inspectorate of Government reported that Uganda loses Shs9.7 trillion every year to corruption.

“Honourable members of the retreat, it is now clear that corruption is a big problem in Uganda. IGG estimates that the country loses Shs. 9.7 trillion per year on account of corruption. This is not acceptable,” he said before adding.

“Therefore, corruption should be crushed and will be crushed.”

Read: Minister Anite to join anti-corruption march to parliament

President Yoweri Museveni pulse uganda

Approaches to Fighting Corruption

Museveni unveiled new approaches to fighting corruption including announcing new special units under State House to supervise accounting officers.

“Going back to the Government money, now that the accounting officers have let themselves down, we are coming in indirectly,” he said.

“Apart from the State House Anti- Corruption Unit, I am also setting up both a tax investigation Unit and an accountancy and audit unit. They will be able to investigate all tax evasions, under-declarations, money diverted by Parliament and stolen, etc.”

Last week, the Presidential Press Unit announced the formation of the State House Revenue Intelligence Unit to supervise Uganda Revenue Authority to boost revenue collection and close tax leakages.

Ministers stretch up during the session pulse uganda

Museveni further appealed to the judiciary to scrap bail for corruption suspects.

“The only support we need from the Judiciary is no bail for these accused of murder, treason, terrorism, rape, defilement, corruption (embezzlement) and village thefts, if the prosecution is ready for trial,” he said.

“Let the case be tried or use alternative justice but no bail and no impunity for the above cases.”

Museveni regretted the decision by parliament to pay itself high salaries, arguing it promoted mercenarism and distorted the ruling party’s founding principles of volunteerism and a collective approach to development.

“The only mistake was by elements in the Parliament who distorted our historical movement by paying themselves high salaries. This distorted our strategy of voluntarism instead of careerism and mercenarism. They have now realised their mistakes. However, high you put the salary, it cannot run a constituency. Collective efforts are better: PDM, Emyooga, free education in government schools, etc.”

The week-long retreat is being held to address how the government can improve service delivery.