The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya Turwomwe, has revealed that the government loses Shs10 trillion annually to corruption, accounting for over 44% of the annual revenue collections.
She revealed this while presenting the Bi-Annual Performance Report to the Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among at Parliament on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
“A scientific study was done, and this country is estimated to lose up to Shs 10 trillion per year to corruption. If the Inspectorate of Government was adequately funded, this figure could significantly come down. Shs 10 trillion per year is nearly 44% of our domestic revenue. So when 44% of our generated domestic revenue is lost to corruption and nothing much is done to stop that, I think it is overlooking a much more important sector,” said Kamya.
According to Kamya, only Shs 2.3 billion was recovered from corrupt individuals between January and June 2024, out of the Shs 15.7 billion that was recommended for recovery.
Kamya reported that there is an increase in the number of corruption cases filed, saying between January and July 2024, there were 657 complaints, compared to 1276 reported between July and December 2023.
She called on Ugandans to join the war against corruption in the country and the doors of IG.
“During the reporting period, the Inspectorate of Government prioritized prevention of corruption as the main approach in the elimination of corruption and promotion of strict adherence to the rule of law. Through this prevention method, we have opened up the Inspectorate of Government to the public, so we are inviting the public to join the war against corruption and to recognize themselves as victims of corruption,” she added.
Speaker Among urged Kamya to create friendships with Ugandans and intensify awareness campaigns to combat corruption nationwide.
She also thanked the IGG for consistently handing over her performance reports to Parliament as required in the Constitution, saying there are complaints amongst some MPs that some agencies aren’t handing in their reports to Parliament as required.
