By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
The Forum for Democratic Change has clearly stated its position in fighting against corruption saying they will not tolerate any forms of corruption and protect the corrupt regardless of their status.
“FDC is very diplomatic and we don’t entertain any kind of corruption. In case of any member who practices it, we condemn it , we don’t deal with corrupt people,” said Richard Muyombya, the FDC deputy spokesperson.
This is after a list of 30 Members of parliament including those from the FDC who were reportedly summoned to appear before the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) Kibuli to answer questions on alleged corruption leaked on social media.
According to Muyombya, corruption is a fundamental threat to the country’s economy, democracy, peace and security. He said the particular role of FDC is to actively combat corruption to safeguard the nation. He was addressing journalists at their party headquarters on Monday, June 17, when he said that hat their party is not going to allow any member in parliament and local government involved in corruption practices.
The deputy spokesperson, at the same time, also assured that the party will issue summons to any member who engages him/herself in any forms of corruption both in parliament and at local government levels.
“We are going to summon any member of the party implicated in alleged corruption in parliament and in the Local Government. As FDC, we have a committee, we shall summon a person to give us details of how it happened,” he said.
Additionally, the deputy spokesperson disclosed that they are currently working on a proposal to NEC proposing a two year suspension for any member who will be implicated in alleged corruption scandals.
Corruption in Uganda is characterized by grand-scale theft of public funds and petty corruption involving public officials at all levels of society as well as widespread political patronage systems. Elite corruption in Uganda is through a patronage system which has been exacerbated by foreign aid.
A recent study by the Inspectorate of Government indicate that the total cost of corruption in Uganda is estimated to be UGX 9.144 trillion per year which is equivalent to. 44% of total government revenue in 2019.
The highest total cost of corruption was estimated for the environmental protection sector – at about UGX 2.8 trillion per year.
