Strengthening the Role of the Auditor General in Fighting Corruption and Ensuring Accountability in Uganda: A Call to Action

New Auditor General Vows to Tighten Oversight on Public Resources

In a bid to address the rampant misuse of public resources and corruption in Uganda, Mr Edward Akol has assumed the role of Auditor General, taking over from his predecessor John Muwanga. The Office of the Auditor General plays a crucial role in establishing how public resources are utilized and highlighting entities or individuals that may falter on the job or misuse public funds.

According to the ombudsman, Uganda loses a staggering Shs9 trillion annually to corruption, with the top conduits being salaries paid despite absenteeism, loss of environmental resources, corruption in contract royalties, corruption in procurement, and bribing judicial officers. This misuse of taxpayer money has polarized the country and led to a frustrated population, as seen in the recent youth-led protests.

During a function marking Akol’s appointment, Ms Lucy Nakyobe, the head of Public Service, emphasized the need to tighten accountability measures to combat corruption effectively. She urged Akol to prioritize the fight against corruption and ensure that every shilling of public funds is accounted for.

Finance ministry Permanent Secretary, Mr Ramathan Ggoobi, highlighted the importance of accountability with measurable results, rather than just paper accountability. He acknowledged the government’s failure to implement recommendations made by the Auditor General and committed to funding value and forensic audits to address the abuse of public resources.

Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr Matia Kasaija, attributed corruption to greed and called for a thorough investigation to root out the perpetrators. Akol, a certified public accountant with years of experience at the OAG, vowed to uphold transparency and accountability in his new role.

Former Auditor General John Muwanga was hailed for his integrity, credibility, and professionalism during his 23-year tenure. His successor, Akol, expressed gratitude for the support from his family and colleagues, pledging to do his utmost to ensure that public resources are spent in accordance with the law.

As Akol takes on this enormous responsibility, the country looks to him to tighten oversight on public resources and combat corruption effectively. With the support of government officials and a commitment to transparency and accountability, Akol’s tenure as Auditor General holds promise for a more accountable and efficient use of public funds in Uganda.