IGG Reports Surge in Investigations, Recoveries in Bi-Annual Report to Parliament
Parliament of Uganda
The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe, today officially presented the Bi-Annual Performance Report of the Inspectorate of Government (IG) for the period July to December 2024. The report, submitted in accordance with Article 231 of the Constitution, was received by Hon. Esther Afoyochan, Commissioner of Parliament, on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among.
The report showcased notable progress in the fight against corruption, with an uptick in the number of investigations concluded (1,267), corruption cases handled (552), and a significant recovery of UGX 4.13 billion in funds and assets. The conviction rate at the Anti-Corruption Court rose to 81%, an improvement from the previous reporting period.
Further highlights include the verification of 324 declarations under the Leadership Code, inspection of 682 government projects, and public engagement through education campaigns and media outreach. Administrative actions were taken against 600 errant officials, and 53 were recommended for prosecution.
Parliament Commends IG, Urges Stronger Support
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker, Hon. Esther Afoyochan commended the Inspectorate for its diligence and timely submission of the report. “This is not just a constitutional obligation, but a critical tool for transparency and accountability. Parliament will table the report at the next sitting on May 29, 2025, and refer it to relevant committees for further consideration,” she said.
Hon. Afoyochan acknowledged the IG’s expanding mandate, particularly following amendments to the Leadership Code Act, and affirmed Parliament’s commitment to addressing funding constraints. “As Parliament, we understand the weight of new responsibilities placed on you, and we are committed to engaging the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to explore ways to facilitate this increased workload,” she added.
Reflecting on her own experience as a former local government worker, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of empowering junior civil servants. “Many are victimized by top leadership and don’t know where to turn. I now understand how crucial it is for local government staff to have access to ombudsman services,” she said. She encouraged civil servants to seek support and understand that their duty is to the government, not individual accounting officers.
Persistent Challenges and Future Plans
While the report noted strong progress, the IGG raised critical operational challenges. Key among them are insufficient funding, a shortage of technical expertise in digital forensics, and limited automation of internal systems. The IG also cited logistical issues such as an aging vehicle fleet and the burden of processing over 380,000 wealth declarations following legislative amendments.
To address these issues, the Inspectorate has outlined its strategic priorities for FY 2025/2026, including:
- Strengthening enforcement of the Leadership Code of Conduct.
- Recruiting forensic and financial specialists.
- Accelerating digital transformation.
- Enhancing the Ombudsman function.
- Scaling up public education campaigns to encourage citizen engagement.
The IGG concluded by reiterating her commitment to accountability and transparency, and called upon Parliament and the Government to continue supporting the Inspectorate’s constitutional mandate.
