By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Betty Namisango Tirwomwe Kamya, has dismissed claims that various anti-graft agencies created by State House are hindering the Inspectorate’s efforts in combating corruption.
According to the IGG, the different units have distinct mandates and roles, and are not interfering with the Inspectorate’s work. She emphasized that fighting corruption is not the work of only the IGG because it happened at all corners.
“Each agency has its own mandate and functions,” said IGG Kamya. ” The IG has the ombudsman function which none of these agencies have. While people say there are many agencies, if you read about the authorities that created them you will find out that they have different mandates and functions.”
The IG said that whereas the goal of these agencies is fighting corruption, there is a lot of work they do beyond corruption which the public has not recognized.
The IGG’s statement comes amidst concerns that the proliferation of anti-graft agencies could lead to suppression of efforts of the IG, and ultimately, undermine the fight against corruption.
However, IGG Kamya assured that the Inspectorate is working harmoniously with the other agencies, and that their distinct mandates are complementary, rather than overlapping. She said the fight against corruption requires a multi-faceted approach and different strategies which the agencies are deploying to eradicate corruption in Uganda.
“Not really, the powers of the IG have not been surpassed. The IG is the one that has the authority to sign warrant of arrest, search arrest which many of these agencies do not have,” said IGG Kamya.
“Corruption is one small bit that happens at the end of the process and what the IG is doing is to raise the bar of their activity and look at the function of fostering strict adherence to the rule of law so that corruption is prevented,” IGG Kamya added while responding to a question by Leonard Kamugisha Akida, Parrots Media on the rapid increase of Anti-Corruption Units and their impact on operations of the IG.
IGG Kamya was speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre when she announced that the inspectorate is organizing an Open to public to share their experiences about corruption as well as raise their complaints during the commemoration of the IG’s 38th anniversary due on September 18, 2024, at Railway Grounds Kampala.
“We shall be taking the Inspectorate of Government to an open field at the Railway Grounds. We shall set up tents there and the respective departments will be available and represented to serve the people,” she said.
