KAMPALA
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has threatened legal action against more than 61,000 public officers who failed to declare their incomes, assets and liabilities within the stipulated period.
The declaration exercise, which commenced on April 1 and ended on April 30, 2026, registered an 80% compliance rate, according to figures released by the Inspectorate.
Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Friday, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Aisha Batala Naluzze, revealed that out of 302,800 public officers registered on the IG Online Declaration System (IG-ODS), only 241,230 officers submitted their declarations, while 61,570 failed to comply.
“A total number of 302,800 public officers registered on the IG-ODS system, 241,230 public officers submitted their declarations, and 61,570 public officers have not submitted their declarations as of April 30,” Naluzze said.
She noted that the 80% compliance rate marked an improvement from last year’s 75%. She attributed the increase to a number of strategic actions by the Inspectorate including sensitization programs targeting public officers, provision of IT support, use of Human Capital Management System and the IPPS data for the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that are not on the Human Capital Management System, and harmonization of officers’ data with the public service among others in preparation for April declaration period.
Article 234 of the Constitution and the Leadership Code Act 2002 (as amended) require leaders and public officers to periodically declare their incomes, assets and liabilities.
Section 5 of the same Act requires all the public officers to declare their incomes, assets and liabilities to the Inspectorate of Government three months upon assuming Office, and thereafter every five years consecutively.
The IGG warned that officers who failed to comply risk facing sanctions under the Leadership Code Act, including fines, demotion, dismissal from office, vacation of office, confiscation and forfeiture of illicitly acquired assets and benefits.
“The IG will process cases for officers who did not declare and refer them to the Leadership Code Tribunal,” she said.
Naluzze, however, admitted that the Inspectorate faced several challenges during the exercise, including system failures caused by heavy traffic, poor internet connectivity and limited computer literacy, especially in rural areas.
“So despite achieving an 80% declaration rate, the Inspectorate of Government faced a number of challenges in regards to the just concluded declaration exercise. We had last-minute attempts to declare by public officials, which caused system and support service congestion,” she said.
According to the IGG, the Inspectorate offices were overwhelmed in the final days of the exercise, receiving up to 400 public servants daily seeking assistance with declarations.
She also cited technical system shutdowns and network outages during peak periods due to the surge in users.
Naluzze further revealed that some public officers deliberately refused to comply with the declaration requirement.
“We faced a challenge of resistance and negative attitude, where some public officers outrightly exhibited unwillingness to comply,” she added.
The IGG disclosed that the Inspectorate is engaging the Head of Public Service to amend standing orders to make declaration of incomes, assets and liabilities mandatory at entry into public service.
She added that the Inspectorate would shift focus from mobilization to strict enforcement and verification of declarations.
“The responsibility to declare will be solely on the declarant,” Naluzze said.
The IG also called upon members of the public to report suspected cases of unexplained wealth and lavish lifestyles among public officials for investigation.
“The general public is requested to identify public officers’ incomes, assets and possible flamboyant lifestyles and report the same to the IG for investigation,” she said.
Naluzze said the next declaration exercise for leaders’ incomes, assets and liabilities is expected to commence in March 2027.
