KAMPALA – The head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Lt Col Edith Nakalema, has said the country loses an estimated UGX2 trillion to corrupt tendencies each year.
Speaking at a two-week ideological training for local council leaders in Wakiso District on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, Lt Col Nakalema said this is about 0.8% of the Uganda’s budget in a financial year.
“Uganda is estimated to lose UGX2trillion per year in graft. If corruption is eliminated at the household level, we are assured of a good future,” she said before warning that corruption starts at the household level.
“Corruption starts from homes and families, it goes to school and graduates back to society. So we are saying that let it start with you and show example by denying it and everyone would exercise their duty. It is the Local Council leaders who can help to liberate this country by refusing corruption, stopping it and also to promote neighbourhood watch,” she added.
Wakiso Resident District Commissioner Rose Kirabira said that the two-week training was hosted to enable the village leaders to understand their role in protecting the citizens and public resources for development.
The minister for Security, Gen. Elly Tumwine, urged local leaders to invent projects and saving schemes through which to generate income instead of relying on corruption to get rich.
“It is time for you to sacrifice well-knowing that in future, you will live peacefully. Maintain unity, save but most importantly avoid making deals and fraudulent land transactions,” he said.
