MUST READ:
Museveni’s corrupt neo-liberal system turns female politicians in Robbers, Thugs and bandits: Women leaders under fire as corruption scandals shake Uganda
https://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2024/05/musevenis-corrupt-neo-liberal-system.html
Are Ugandans carrying neo-liberal thuggery whenever they go? Zimbabwe freezes Shs1b mansions of Uganda Red Cross boss Robert Kwesiga
https://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2024/05/are-ugandans-carrying-neo-liberal.html
When tribalism and Sectarianism becomes the order of the day in Museveni’s Corrupt Neo-liberal State: THIRD BEST candidate Eng James Kwesiga Nkamwesiga appointed executive director of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)
https://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2024/05/when-tribalism-and-sectarianism-becomes.html
Museveni’s useless fight against corruption: Uganda law society condemns Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and MP Juliet Kinyamatama for condoning corruption
https://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2024/07/musevenis-useless-fight-against.html
USA: How corruption is destroying Uganda
https://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/82032-usa-how-corruption-is-destroying-uganda
Written by ROBERT SPIN MUKASA
Endemic
corruption in Uganda continues to be a serious problem and a major
obstacle to investment, according to the US Department of State’s latest
2024 Investment Climate Statements: Uganda.
The report highlights the pervasive nature of corruption and its detrimental impact on the business environment in Uganda.
“Despite
Uganda having adequate laws to combat corruption and a network of
anti-corruption institutions, enforcement remains inconsistent,” the
report notes.
The Public Procurement and Disposal of
Public Assets Authority Act’s Code of Ethical Standards requires bidders
and contractors to disclose any possible conflict of interest when
applying for government contracts. However, many well-connected
individuals enjoy de facto immunity for corrupt acts and are rarely
prosecuted in court, according to the report.
Transparency International ranked Uganda
141 out of 180 countries in its 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, a
slight improvement from its 2022 ranking. Nonetheless, the government
does not require companies to adopt specific internal procedures to
detect and prevent bribery of government officials.
“Larger private companies implement
internal control policies, but with 80 per cent of the workforce in the
informal sector, much of the private sector operates without such
systems,” the report says.
While
Uganda has signed and ratified the UN Anticorruption Convention, the
report says, it is not yet a party to the OECD Convention on Combating
Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business
Transactions, and does not protect non-governmental organizations
investigating corruption. Some corruption watchdog organizations allege
government harassment.
“U.S. firms consistently identify
corruption as a major hurdle to business and investment, particularly in
government procurement processes,” the report says.
On paper, Uganda’s legal and regulatory
systems are generally transparent and non-discriminatory, adhering to
international norms. However, in practice, bureaucratic hurdles and
corruption significantly affect all investors, with a disproportionate
impact on foreigners who must navigate a parallel informal system.
While Ugandan law mandates open and
transparent competition for government project tenders, USA investors
have alleged that endemic corruption undermines this process.
Competitors not subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or similar
legislation, often pay bribes to win contracts, creating an uneven
playing field.
This
discrepancy between the legal framework and its implementation poses
significant challenges for foreign investors. The requirement for
transparent competition is frequently bypassed, with bribes influencing
the awarding of contracts. As a result, foreign investors face
additional barriers, having to contend not only with the formal
requirements but also with the pervasive informal practices that distort
the market, according to the report.
The report notes that these challenges
highlight the gap between Uganda’s regulatory intentions and the reality
on the ground. The impact of corruption on the investment climate is
profound, deterring potential investors and skewing opportunities in
favor of those willing to engage in corrupt practices.
The systemic nature of these issues
underscores the need for comprehensive reforms to align Uganda’s
regulatory environment with its legal standards, ensuring a truly
transparent and fair investment climate.
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONDUCT
Awareness of responsible business conduct varies greatly among corporate actors in Uganda.
“Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
programs are voluntary, and there is no formal government program to
monitor, require, or encourage CSR,” the report says.
“In
practice, endemic corruption often enables companies to engage in
harmful or illegal practices with impunity. Regulations on human and
labor rights, and consumer and environmental protection, are seldom and
inconsistently enforced.”
Uganda’s capacity and political will to regulate the mineral trade across its borders remain weak, the report notes.
“On March 17, 2022, the U.S. Department
of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned
Belgian national Alain Goetz, his company the African Gold Refinery in
Uganda, and a network of companies involved in the illicit movement of
gold valued at hundreds of millions of dollars per year from the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).”
The report notes that despite having no
significant gold reserves, gold was Uganda’s leading export commodity in
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023. In 2023, gold export value rose to
$2.3 billion, a record high after a slowdown in 2022 due to a tax
proposal that gold exporters protested.
“The Ugandan government does not
adequately enforce domestic laws related to human rights, labor rights,
consumer protection, environmental protections, or other laws intended
to protect individuals from adverse business impacts.”
According to UN Panel of Experts
reports, the African Gold Refinery does not adhere to OECD Due Diligence
Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from
Conflict-Afflicted and High-Risk Areas, and there is no indication the
Ugandan government is urging it to do so.
Uganda joined the Extractive Industries
Transparency Initiative in August 2020. As part of the process, Uganda
formed a multi-stakeholder group (MSG) composed of government, industry,
and civil society. As Uganda looks to develop its oil and gas sector,
the MSG will monitor transparency and accountability in the sector,
including environmental impact and land rights issues. Uganda has not
formally adopted the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
This complex scenario underscores the
significant challenges that corruption poses to Uganda’s investment
climate. The government’s inability to enforce anti-corruption measures
effectively undermines investor confidence and hampers economic growth.
MARCH TO PARLIAMENT
Frustrated by pervasive corruption,
youth protesters last week demonstrated against parliament, which has
been beset by numerous allegations of corruption. Many protesters
carried placards demanding the resignation of Speaker Anita Among, who
has recently been sanctioned by the US and UK governments for alleged
corruption.
At least 32 protesters have been
released either on police bond or granted bail by the court after their
arrest last week for participating in the march to parliament protests.
President Museveni responded to the anti-corruption protests held last
Tuesday, emphasizing the need to identify foreign funding sources behind
the protests.
“Those being funded by foreigners should
stop and report to the Minister of State for Ethics, those that have
been funding them. We shall not arrest them. In any case, we know a lot
about the goings-on in those groups. Our interest is to immunize Uganda
against the schemes of the imperialists and their agents,” he stated.
Museveni noted that the planners of the
Tuesday, July 23 demonstration disregarded his prior advice, which he
had delivered in a national address.
“They, obviously, thought that my advice
was of no consequence. Please, Ugandans, avoid these mistake makers.
The evidence in court will shock many. As I said, the planners of these
demonstrations wanted to do very bad things. The charge by the Police of
‘idle and disorderly,’
I suspect, was used because the deployed
personnel did not have all the information. This was a high-quality,
intelligence-led operation. I have most of the information.”
The president announced his intention to
address the nation again next week to provide further details on the
issue. He expressed relief that there was no bloodshed during the
protests, stating, “I praise the Lord that there was no bloodshed on
Tuesday. The fight against corruption is in my hands. I just need
evidence, and action will be taken.”
Museveni reiterated the critical role of accounting officers in safeguarding government resources.
“The accounting officers are the
guardians of government money, procurement, and personnel ( jobs,
welfare). They let us and themselves down. I am now leading this little
war. We fought the bigger war. We shall win this one also.”
I suspect, was used because the deployed personnel did not have all the information. This was a high-quality, intelligence-led operation. I have most of the information.”
I am here to stay – Speaker Among
https://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/82025-i-am-here-to-stay-speaker-among
Written by GEOFREY SERUGO
Over the
weekend, the speaker of parliament, Anita Among, declared her intention
to remain in her position despite growing calls for her resignation.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of St.
Charles Lwanga, Kigarama parish in Ruhinda North, Mitooma district, a
church built by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and his friends, Among
addressed the controversy surrounding her tenure.
Among’s
statement comes amid mounting voices accusing her of corruption. On June
22, 2024, she pledged to support the five detained MPs accused of
corruption: Lwengo district woman MP Cissy Namujju; Busiki MP Paul
Akamba; Bunyole East MP Yusuf Mutembuli; Igara East MP Mawanda Michael
Maranga; and Elgon County legislator Wamakuyu Ignatius Mudimi.
“I
only have one term to serve. When I finish serving my one term, I will
give it to Tayebwa to continue. I don’t want to cling to power. I have
one term to go, then I hand it over to him. To those calling me to
resign, you want me to resign and go where?” she said.
Among criticized the public perception
of parliament’s role in corruption, emphasizing that MPs are not
accounting officers, and should not be demonized.
“Stealing
doesn’t start from parliament. Let’s stop demonizing parliament. When
you start marching against corruption, people appreciate it, but we no
longer have any conflict with the executive,” she said.
She also praised Tayebwa’s contributions, highlighting his discipline and leadership.
“We
want to thank the people of Mitooma for giving us a leader like
Tayebwa. He is much more disciplined and knows his role well. We have
come very far with Tayebwa from blue (Forum for Democratic Change, FDC)
to yellow (National Resistance Movement, NRM), and we are here to stay,”
she said.
Among expressed gratitude for the support from
President Museveni and the first lady, noting their emphasis on family
values. She believes this support has helped the 11th Parliament
establish a lasting legacy.
In his remarks, Tayebwa disclosed
that the church was built at a cost of Shs 2.7 billion, funded by
contributions from friends including Sudhir Ruparelia, Godfrey Kirumira,
Hamis Kiggundu and Ben Kavuya. He noted that they raised Shs 1.7
billion in one hour during their first meeting in Kampala.
Archbishop
Lambert Bainomugisha of Mbarara Archdiocese, praised Tayebwa’s
generosity and encouraged other Ugandans to contribute to community
projects.
“This is a formation house where people learn to
believe, love God, and one another. Everyone has something to give, and
we should embrace the norm of giving back to God,” he said.
The archbishop urged believers to consider alternatives for self-sustenance beyond relying solely on the government.
“With
the little resources we have, we can do something to change our
communities. We should be responsible in the use of our resources in
families, communities, and government positions. We should be frugal in
the use of our resources,” he said.
He concluded by commending
everyone who contributed to building the church, noting that even remote
areas like Kigarama can witness significant.
Among’s statement comes amid mounting voices accusing her of corruption. On June 22, 2024, she pledged to support the five detained MPs accused of corruption: Lwengo district woman MP Cissy Namujju; Busiki MP Paul Akamba; Bunyole East MP Yusuf Mutembuli; Igara East MP Mawanda Michael Maranga; and Elgon County legislator Wamakuyu Ignatius Mudimi.
“I only have one term to serve. When I finish serving my one term, I will give it to Tayebwa to continue. I don’t want to cling to power. I have one term to go, then I hand it over to him. To those calling me to resign, you want me to resign and go where?” she said.
“Stealing doesn’t start from parliament. Let’s stop demonizing parliament. When you start marching against corruption, people appreciate it, but we no longer have any conflict with the executive,” she said.
She also praised Tayebwa’s contributions, highlighting his discipline and leadership.
“We want to thank the people of Mitooma for giving us a leader like Tayebwa. He is much more disciplined and knows his role well. We have come very far with Tayebwa from blue (Forum for Democratic Change, FDC) to yellow (National Resistance Movement, NRM), and we are here to stay,” she said.
Among expressed gratitude for the support from President Museveni and the first lady, noting their emphasis on family values. She believes this support has helped the 11th Parliament establish a lasting legacy.
In his remarks, Tayebwa disclosed that the church was built at a cost of Shs 2.7 billion, funded by contributions from friends including Sudhir Ruparelia, Godfrey Kirumira, Hamis Kiggundu and Ben Kavuya. He noted that they raised Shs 1.7 billion in one hour during their first meeting in Kampala.
Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha of Mbarara Archdiocese, praised Tayebwa’s generosity and encouraged other Ugandans to contribute to community projects.
“This is a formation house where people learn to believe, love God, and one another. Everyone has something to give, and we should embrace the norm of giving back to God,” he said.
The archbishop urged believers to consider alternatives for self-sustenance beyond relying solely on the government.
“With the little resources we have, we can do something to change our communities. We should be responsible in the use of our resources in families, communities, and government positions. We should be frugal in the use of our resources,” he said.
He concluded by commending everyone who contributed to building the church, noting that even remote areas like Kigarama can witness significant.
