Last year, 326, out of the over 440 leaders at Parliament, made their declarations, according to records by the Inspectorate of Government- IG. An additional 65, out of 96 judicial officers made their declarations from the judiciary and 1,419 leaders in the Uganda Police Force declared their assets out of an expectation of 3,163 declarations. So far, 2,683 local government leaders have declared their assets out of 4,758 leaders.
Members of Parliament have asked the executive to expedite the process of setting up a leadership code tribunal in order to enhance declaration of wealth by leaders.
The Leadership Code (Amendment) Act that was passed by Parliament last year requires public officials to declare their wealth by submitting a written declaration to the Inspectorate of Government every two years, indicating, among others, the names, income, assets and liabilities of their spouse, children and dependents and how they acquired them.
Last year, 326, out of the over 440 leaders at Parliament, made their declarations, according to records by the Inspectorate of Government- IG. An additional 65, out of 96 judicial officers' made their declarations from the judiciary and 1,419 leaders in the Uganda Police Force declared their assets out of an expectation of 3,163 declarations. So far, 2,683 local government leaders have declared their assets out of 4,758 leaders.
However, there is no tribunal to prosecute officials who fail to declare their assets as required by the code. The MPs now demand that the Executive expedites the appointment and the organization of the tribunal in order to strengthen the declaration which now is done casually, to fulfil an obligation.
Gomba West County MP Robinah Rwakoojo says that the absence of the tribal renders the law irrelevant. She was speaking during a meeting with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah and the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman Jorgen Steen Sorensen at the Speakers boardroom today.
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Kaberamaido County MP Veronica Bichetero Eragu says that the establishment of the tribunal has dragged on for so long.
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The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah questioned why up to this time the tribunal has not been established.
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The Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman Jorgen Steen Sorensen says that they are here to partner with the office of the IGG to enhance its capacity to fight corruption.
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The IGG has previously faced criticism for flouting provisions in the constitution over the absence of an established leadership code tribunal.
Former Lubaga South Member of Parliament John Ken Lukyamuzi challenged the IGG in court after it had terminated his tenure in Parliament over failure to declare his assets. The court ruled in favour of Lukyamuzi, stating that with the absence of the tribunal the IGG had turned into the investigator, prosecutor and judge.
Alex Otto
Freelancer