Speaker Kadaga launches exit declaration of assets

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has launched an online platform for the declaration of incomes, assets and liabilities by outgoing leaders with a call to ensure total compliance.
Kadaga also officially submitted her declaration and hailed the Inspectorate of Government for its sustained fight against corruption.
“I have read about the apartments you have confiscated. It indicates that some real work in fostering accountability is going on,” she said.
The Speaker was meeting officials from the Inspectorate of Government led by Deputy Inspector General of Government (IGG), Maryam Wangadya and outgoing Deputy IGG George Bamugemereire.
Wangadya said the IG’s efforts saw the recovery of assets in excess of shs10 billion and said the inspectorate will be intensifying public engagement to ensure the corrupt are exposed.
Wangadya said Parliament is the fourth institution with compliance to declaration of assets at 94 per cent.
On Speaker Kadaga’s inquiry about what is responsible for the six per cent non-compliance, IG Spokesperson Munira Ali said it is due to MPs who lose by-elections and exit without the declaration, a practice the Speaker said would not recur in future.
The exit of Mr Bamugemereire further complicates the situation at the inspectorate since the Inspectorate of Government Act only considers the office fully constituted with powers to exercise its constitutional obligations when the IGG and two deputies are in office.
Since the exit of the former IGG, Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja, President Yoweri Museveni has not appointed a replacement, implying the inspectorate is legally handicapped from exercising its functions.
Speaker Kadaga recognizes this plight.
“It’s a pity that part of the inspectorate is leaving [with the exit of Mr Bamugemereire] and you are going to be even less constituted; I have raised this issue with the appointing authority and I know sooner rather than later, we shall have the office fully constituted,” she said.
The Leadership Code Amendment Act, said the Speaker, is well on course and will be passed to ensure gaps in accountability by public officials are sealed.
“To strengthen your structures, the amendment of the Leadership Code Act is progressing well; this will be done as quickly as possible,” she said.