IGG to prosecute Ugandan public leaders hiding assets in foreign countries

Uganda’s Deputy Inspector General of Government, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria has declared a corruption war on Ugandan public leaders or the ‘Big fish’ hiding ill gotten billions and assets in foreign countries. 

Dr Achan made the statement today while at a press briefing in Kampala, where an estimated 24000 public leaders who are serving in Uganda’s public offices are expected to declare their wealth on the March 31st deadline, or face the consequences.

The leaders will be required to declare all related income, assets and liabilities submitted directly to the IGG Online Declaration System. 

“In our work, we don’t categorise big or small because it’s all corruption as provided for within the law. For leaders who hide their wealth abroad, we have got mutual legal assistance with our counterparts in other countries, and we’re able to get leads if anybody is running out to hide and doesn’t want to declare their wealth,” Dr Patricia said. 

The Deputy IGG noted that her office is working with other anti-corruption agencies such as the Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities in Africa and the East African Anti-Corruption Authorities.

“We’re handling both high profile cases and we do not give a damn in prosecuting somebody,” she said.

The Leadership Code Act enacted in 2022 and last amended in 2021 requires specified leaders and public officers to periodically declare their income, assets and liabilities to the IGG. The declaration by leaders is required after every two years while that of public officers is required every after five years in the month of April. 

The IGG requires public officials to declare income, land, vehicles, businesses, liabilities and accounts in local and foreign banks and other financial institutions, whether jointly owned, held in trust or beneficial ownership. 

For income, this might mean salary, allowances, dividends, rental income, proceeds from sell of agricultural products, commissions, profits, while assets could mean developed land, personal residence, commercial properties, forests, farms, securities, businesses, bank accounts, motor vehicles, boats, debtors, cash (not in the bank) above UGX 5 million and cash equivalents such as crypto currencies and mobile money. Liabilities include loans, creditors and mortgages. 

In this context, the leaders required to declare wealth are either elected or appointed ranging from the President to the LC III chairperson and Vice Chairperson. While the appointed leaders on the hand range from the Permanent Secretaries to Heads of sections in Ministries.

At local government level, all political technical and committee leaders at District, or Municipal council level will be required to declare their wealth. 

In other government agencies and departments where the government has interest; the leaders range from board members, CEOs to Heads of sections. 

The Inspector General of Government, Betty Kamya noted that her office has been receiving online declarations from leaders since 2017 and the compliance rate has been steadily increasing from 85% in 2017 to 90% in 2023, with alteast 95% expected this year. 

Ms Kamya noted a good number of leaders who did not submit their declaration in March, 2023 were prosecuted in the Leadership Code Tribunal for failure to declare and were punished. 

“Leaders are required not to omit any of their incomes, assets and liabilities. If they do so, they will have breached the law,” Kamya said. The breach also extends to failure to submit correct information and any false declaration. 

Sanctions for the breach include; fines, warning, caution, demotion, dismissal and vacation from office and confiscation and forfeiture of illicitly acquired assets, gifts, or benefits

In September 2023, the Leadership Code Tribunal sitting at Nakasero in Kampala ordered the Procurement Officer of Ministry of Energy, Mr. Mfitumukiza Emmanuel to pay a fine of 60 currency points (UGX1,200,000) for breaching the Leadership Code Act.

The Tribunal, chaired by Dr. Roselyn Karugonjo, discovered that as a leader, Mr. Mfitumukiza did not declare his wealth during the declaration period of March 2023 as required by law.

Mr. Mfitumukiza was ordered to pay the said fine on or before September 28th, 2023.

He was also required to declare his wealth to the Inspectorate of Government for the period 2023 as provided for under the Leadership Code Act.