The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has backed Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara’s approach to fighting corruption, saying the campaign is in line with a Cabinet decision but should be carried out within the confines of the law.
Speaking to journalists at the government-owned Media Centre on Monday, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, the Deputy Inspector General of Government, said the fight against corruption cannot be left to the Inspectorate of Government alone.
“The fight against corruption cannot be a one-man war. We welcome every effort geared towards fighting corruption because the level of impunity has escalated. However, we caution the Ministry of Local Government to do its work lawfully,” Twinomugisha said.
She said although the IG supports the approach being used by Balaam, it cannot adopt the same methods because of the nature of its mandate.
Twinomugisha said the Inspectorate is required to operate within the rule of law and observe the principles of natural justice in its administrative functions. In Luganda, Twinomugisha said the Inspectorate works with Minister Balaam but stressed that people should not be treated as guilty before investigations have established their culpability.
Twinomugisha also criticised the public’s reluctance to expose people who demand bribes, saying many people are willing to pay bribes to secure jobs but are unwilling to provide information about those demanding the money.
She said several cases investigated by the Inspectorate fail to reach a conclusion because people conceal information or decline to cooperate with investigators.
Twinomugisha credited Balaam’s campaign with encouraging more people to voluntarily come forward with information and urged the public to play a greater role in the fight against corruption.
The remarks come as Uganda prepares to commemorate International Ombudsman Day on Thursday.
Under the Constitution, the Ombudsman function is vested in the Inspectorate of Government, although the institution is more widely associated with fighting corruption.
The Ombudsman mandate empowers the IG to address abuse of authority, abuse of office and misuse of public resources, as well as resolve complaints involving maladministration, delays in service delivery and workplace victimisation, among others.
Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala said administrative injustices remain a major burden to national development.
She said Ombudsman-related matters accounted for 37 percent of all complaints investigated and concluded by the Inspectorate during the 2025/26 financial year.
According to Lady Justice Naluzze, common complaints brought before the Inspectorate include delays in employment and payment of benefits, irregular recruitment processes, malicious interdiction and victimisation of whistleblowers by their superiors.
She said 1,011 Ombudsman cases were resolved across central and local governments during the financial year, while Shs2.353 billion was recommended for payment following IG intervention in cases where individuals had been denied their rightful employment benefits.
Twinomugisha said the Inspectorate has recovered more than Shs41 billion through its Ombudsman function, stressing that the recovery was separate from its anti-corruption work.
The global observance of Ombudsman Day dates back to December 2017, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 72/186, recognising the Ombudsman as an important bridge between citizens and the state in promoting administrative justice-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
