Headline:
Over 60,000 Ugandan Officials Face Punishment for Failing to Declare Wealth
Subheadline:
IGG Warns of Sanctions as Deadline Passes, Cites 80% Compliance Rate
Kampala, Uganda – More than 60,000 Ugandan public officers and politicians risk fines, dismissal, or asset forfeiture after failing to declare their wealth by the April 30 deadline, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) announced Friday.
Inspector General of Government Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala confirmed that her office is preparing cases for referral to the Leadership Code Tribunal. “We will now process cases for officers who didn’t declare assets and refer them for adjudication,” she told reporters at the Uganda Media Centre.
Legal Requirements Ignored
Under Uganda’s Leadership Code Act, public officials must declare their income, assets, and liabilities within three months of assuming office and every two years thereafter. Despite this, 61,570 officers—20% of the 302,800 registered on the Inspectorate’s online system—missed this year’s deadline.
Batala noted some progress, with 241,230 officials (80%) submitting declarations on time. “We’ve seen improvement, but compliance remains incomplete,” she said.
Stiff Penalties Await
Officials who flout the rules face severe consequences, including:
- Fines
- Demotion or dismissal
- Confiscation of illicit assets
- Repayment for losses to public funds
The IGG also highlighted challenges, including last-minute submissions that overwhelmed the system and resistance from some officers.
Next Steps: Verification and Enforcement
With the declaration phase closed, the Inspectorate will now verify submitted records. Batala warned that enforcement will be strict to curb corruption and ensure transparency.
Uganda’s leadership code aims to hold officials accountable, but persistent non-compliance suggests deeper systemic issues. As cases move to tribunal, the public awaits tangible action against violators.
— Reported by Nexio News
