Minister Babalanda warns public servants against corruption
MASAKA – The Minister of the Presidency, Milly Babalanda has warned public servants in the country against corrupt tendencies, saying they deprive citizens of their right to benefit from government development programmes.
Speaking during the 3rd Administrative Officers Forum held in Masaka City recently to discuss contemporary roles and competencies of administrative officers in public service, Babalanda cited intrigue, laziness, and corruption as some of the issues affecting development in the country.
She noted that corruption has affected government’s ability to grow an economy that benefits all the citizens as it has distorted government priorities.
The minister said abuse of public office for private gains has eroded people’s trust in government and its institutions.
“The NRM government has been let down by selfish civil servants who frustrate the excellent policies drafted by the politicians,” she said, warning that the government will not tolerate corruption at any level of government.
She implored public servants to focus on human needs as part of their responsibility to enable the government to improve governance, public management systems and processes, as well as infrastructure development.
“We need to create a suitable operating environment that would enable Uganda become a state that is more capable, professional, and proactive in meeting the needs of its citizens,” she said.
Babalanda said government has empowered the State House Anti-corruption Unit [SHACU] and the Inspectorate of Government to investigate corruption in public offices.
The secretary in the Office of the President, Yunus Kakande urged the administrative officers to deliver better services, saying the officials are the heart of the government and responsible for the implementation of government policies.
Meanwhile, in a different meeting, Masaka regional inspectorate officer, Dinah Nabirye said the government anti-graft agency is finding it hard to detect, and investigate corruption in local government.
Nabirye complained that local governments delay responding to requests for information, which she said has hindered the pace at which the investigations are conducted and concluded.
Nabirye said since 2019 to 2023, her office has registered a total of 372 cases related to abuse of office.
embezzlement of public funds, misappropriation, procurement fraud, double employment, nonpayment.
of salaries and other benefits, forgery of academic documents, abandonment of duty, and non-accountability of funds but noted only 233 have been investigated to completion while 112 cases are ongoing.
https://thecooperator.news/minister-babalanda-orders-rdcs-to-arrest-officials-failing-pdm/
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