Govt strengthens anti-corruption efforts through education institutions

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KAMPALA - To tackle the persistent issue of corruption, the government has rolled out a comprehensive strategy involving educational institutions.

In the new approach, focus is shifting focus to preventive measures. The approach includes leveraging laws such as the Whistle-Blowers Protection Act to encourage the public to report any suspicious activities.

Nicholas Abola, the Commissioner for Communication and Information at the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, emphasized the importance of preventing corruption rather than mere reaction to corruption incidents.

Abola on Tuesday highlighted the challenges faced in prosecuting corruption cases due to the difficulty of gathering sufficient evidence.

During the review meeting of Uganda’s implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) at Hotel Africana on Tuesday, Abola further revealed, that the government is encouraging the formation of integrity clubs in schools and universities to foster discussions on ethical conduct in both public and private sectors.

This initiative seeks to mobilize a mass movement of young people committed to upholding integrity and patriotism in their country.

He said, that in the education sector, the emphasis is on instilling strong ethical values in students from an early age.  He added that through collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the curriculum has been updated to incorporate life skills and values education.

This holistic approach aims to cultivate a generation of principled individuals who are equipped to identify and combat corruption.

Speaking during the official opening of a meeting on review of Uganda’s implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) at Hotel Africana on Tuesday, the state minister for Ethics and Integrity Akello Rose Lilly, emphasised that the country’s anti-corruption strategy is focused on prevention of corruption, enforcement of anti-corruption measures, fighting cross-border crimes, enhancing information sharing and use of Information Corruption Technology (ICT).

Regarding asset recovery, the focus has turned to prosecutions that result in asset recovery. She said specialised asset recovery units were established within the Inspectorate of Government and the Office of the Director of Prosecutions to enforce asset recovery orders.

Sophie Meingast, a Crime Prevention and criminal justice officer at United Nations Office on Drug and Crime said they were in the second review cycle for Uganda, examining preventive measures and assessing the measures Uganda has put in place.

The UN Convention against Corruption is a broad convention that addresses aspects ranging from public procurement to integrity in the judiciary, including criminalization.