International Anti Corruption day
Today is the international anti corruption day. How best can corruption be fought in your country?
In Uganda, currently the Inspectorate of Government is investigating cases worth UGX 500 billion some of which led to halting of suspicious procurement processes and activities that would have led to loss of public funds.
The Statehouse anti corruption unit has recovered a total amount of UGX 35.5 billion, of which UGX 8.6 billion was from inflated Covid-19 relief food prices;UGX 480 million from Local Governments; UGX 3.6 billion from inflated compensation of Bukasa Inland port affected persons.
Kudos for anti corruption crusaders! However, there are perturbing issues, which are evidently revealed by actions and behaviour of corrupt officials. Take example of public figures purchasing expensive cars, which cost way too far from the actual earning of such officials.
The retail price (MSRP) for a base-model 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE is right at the $67,745 mark; add about $2,000 if you want a diesel with that. The P400e starts at $79,295. If you add taxes in Uganda $158,590. This is about UGX 600m.
Now, if you calculate the earnings of an official who gifted that kind of a car to their man-friend, and you add other costs, do you need any other evidence to pin such an official? If you cannot pin such an official for misuse of power and mismanagement plus embezzlkement, then this anti corruption day is rendered useless.
This is likened to someone who earns sh3m each month, which makes it sh36m a year, but guy buys a Mpenkoni of sh100m, but also is gifting his detoothers with VITZ. Honestly, let the fear of the Lord prevail, otherwise sinners will perish unknowingly!
On this anti corruption day, let every Ugandan be accountable. Let them ask for accountability from the public officials who use their taxpayers’ money to cement their shaky marriages.