“When a citizen walks into a government office tomorrow morning, what experience will they have? Will they find a public service that listens, responds and delivers? Or will they encounter delays, indifference and systems that make the government seem distant from their daily struggles?”
These thought-provoking questions were asked by the Inspector General of Government, Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, as Uganda commemorated the African Anti-Corruption Day (AACD) 2026.
The questions challenged public officials to reflect on their individual roles in strengthening service delivery, and also offered them time to undertake an honest self-assessment of their contribution to building a transparent, accountable, and efficient public service that consistently meets the expectations of citizens.
The AACD 2026 was commemorated under the theme, “No Sleep; No Corruption: A call for heightened vigilance, Diligence, and Commitment to Public Service”.
This theme, Lady Justice Naluzze said, is more than a slogan but a reminder to all Public Officers that corruption thrives where oversight is weak, where accountability is ignored and where leaders become complacent.
As such, Accounting Officers and institutional leaders must remain vigilant every single day, fostering a culture of integrity and ensuring that the systems under their stewardship are resilient enough to prevent corruption before it takes root.
“It means asking difficult questions when figures do not add up, visiting projects to verify progress, strengthening internal controls, following up audit recommendations and ensuring that every public shilling delivers value to citizens,” Lady Justice Naluzze said.
She reaffirmed the IG’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its constitutional mandate by championing good governance, enforcing accountability, and relentlessly combating corruption in the pursuit of a transparent and ethical public service.
However, she noted that the IG’s greatest achievements will not be measured by the number of investigations or prosecutions undertaken but by the number of institutions that strengthen their systems, prevent corruption before it occurs and consistently deliver quality services to the public.
Held both physically and virtually, the commemoration targeted Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), City and Town Clerks, Members of the Anti-Corruption Agencies, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
In his keynote address, Mr. Ben Kumumanya, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, stressed the importance of resolute adherence to the law by all Accounting Officers.
He urged them to let legal and regulatory frameworks guide every decision and action, noting that strict compliance is essential to minimizing errors, promoting accountability, and upholding public trust in the execution of their duties.
“Accounting Officers in Local Governments are the strategic frontline commanders for service delivery in the country. They must stick to the law and anybody who does contrary to the law will be held accountable,” he warned.
Hon. Akello Rose Lilly, the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, called for a whole-of-government approach in the elimination of corruption, adding that religious leaders, CSOs, education and cultural institutions are all brought on board.
“Let us be vigilant in monitoring service delivery by ensuring that the District Integrity Promotion Forums are operational and functional. I also appeal to RDCs, DISOs, and LCV chairpersons to step up supervision of the government programmes in their respective districts,” she said.
Deputy IGG, Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, said the commemoration focused on CAOs, City and Town Clerks because they are the faces of government in the communities they serve.
“When you [CAOs and City/Town Clerks] act with integrity, citizens believe in the state. When you falter, their trust crumbles. Yours is not merely a job; it is a sacred trust. You hold the keys to service delivery, and with that privilege comes an extra ordinary responsibility to shape a culture of integrity from the ground up,” she said.
The commemoration was also attended by Deputy IGG, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, alongside Directors and staff of the IG, whose presence underscored the institution’s collective commitment to the occasion and elimination of corruption.
