By Aggrey Baba
In Uganda, where truth often dances like a shadow, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, has resolved to draw back the curtains and shine a light on what many would prefer to keep hidden.
This year, her focus is on uncovering the assets, income, and liabilities that gov’t officials have neglected to declare. [It’s said that a lie can travel halfway around the world, but the truth will always catch up with it].
Kamya made this announcement on Monday, during the official launch of this year’s asset declaration exercise, stressing that while the IGG’s office has historically verified the assets leaders declared, this time, the game has changed.
“We will not just look at what has been declared but also what has been left behind,” she said. [What is hidden in the dark will be brought into the light].
The declaration exercise requires leaders to submit their asset details between March 1 and March 31, 2025. Failure to comply could result in hefty penalties, ranging from fines of up to Ugx4 million to demotion, dismissal, or even the forfeiture of undeclared assets.
Kamya warned that those who attempt to hide their true wealth will face the full force of the law. [You cannot hide a fire under a pot]. The IGG emphasized the consequences of attempting to conceal undeclared property.
The Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, officially launched the process at the Supreme Court in Kampala, where Kamya shared findings that revealed many leaders only declare assets they can easily account for, leaving out those that are harder to trace.
She cited an example from Wakiso district, where properties in areas like Naalya, Najjera, and Seguku were found to belong to public servants and leaders. However, these assets were often registered under the names of relatives or other proxies, a tactic designed to avoid scrutiny.
Kamya pointed out that these tactics, though clever, were not foolproof. [It is like trying to cover a wound with a bandage, because eventually, it will be noticed].
In one instance, a prime property was found to be registered in the name of a houseboy who had no knowledge of the property’s existence, leaving the audience both astounded and amused.
The IGG stressed that these findings are just the tip of the iceberg. “The truth always has a way of emerging,” she said confidently, as she vowed to close the gaps and ensure full transparency in the asset declaration process.
Leaders, she reminded, are required by law to disclose their assets, income, and liabilities within three months of taking office and every two years thereafter during the month of March.
Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo, in his address, also highlighted the negative impact of leaders accumulating wealth at the expense of the public. “When wealth is hoarded, the nation suffers,” he said, pointing out that Uganda loses an estimated Sh10 trillion annually due to illicit accumulation of wealth by public officials.
He suggested that the IGG should not only verify assets but also investigate the sources of these accumulated fortunes.
As part of the process, all public officers, including elected leaders, public service managers, and appointed officials such as permanent secretaries and board members of public institutions, are required by the Leadership Code Act to declare their income, assets, and liabilities.
Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, the Deputy IGG, reminded the public that the exercise will be done electronically using the Inspectorate of Government’s Online Declaration System. Leaders will be assigned unique identification numbers to access and submit their declarations.
In this pursuit of financial transparency, Kamya’s office will continue its work, driven by the belief that [He who has nothing to hide, hides nothing].
The Leadership Code Act, amended in 2021, sets the stage for a culture of accountability. Kamya is determined to make sure that no stone is left unturned, and that all assets, declared or undeclared, will eventually find their way into the open. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
