Among calls for increased fight against illicit financial flows in Africa

KAMPALA - The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has appealed to the African legislators sitting on Public Accounts Committees (PACs) to escalate the fight against illicit financial flows in their respective countries. 

She said the vice is estimated to cause an annual loss of over $88b. 

Uganda's Speaker of Parliament Among pledged that in her capacity as the vice chair of the Association of African Parliament Speakers, she would advocate for increased financing for AFROPAC to grow. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

The Speaker is concerned that the impact of such a huge loss to financially scrapped economies would continue to be much felt by the citizens who are denied critical services like electrification, and construction of health facilities, roads and schools, among others development services. 

Among was Monday addressing participants during the opening of a five-day conference for the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committee (AFROPAC). 

The conference organized at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala coincided with the Fifth Annual General Meeting at Golden Tulip Hotel in  Kampala. 

The theme of the conference was 'Strengthening legislative action to combat illicit financial flows and foster public financial resilience'. 

It attracted parliamentary chairpersons of PAC committees from various African countries. 

AFROPAC, a Pan-African network of parliamentary oversight committees was established in 2013 to promote good governance, accountability and transparency in public resource management and government operations across the African continent.

Among applauded PACs in their respective Parliaments for their efforts towards addressing economic and fiscal mismanagement. 

She however said Africa needs transparency, good governance and strong institutions that can help build strong accountability systems. 

She pledged that in her capacity as the vice chair of the Association of African Parliament Speakers, she would advocate for increased financing for AFROPAC to grow.

"I believe this will save the money we have as Africa,” she noted. Medard Sseggona, the current chairperson of AFROPAC, who doubles as the Chairperson of PAC of the Parliament of Uganda noted that it was critical to form collaborations in the fight against illicit financial flows.

Sseggoona applauded the support extended to AFROPAC by the various stakeholders including the African Union, South African Development Community Organisation of PAC (SADCOPAC), West African Association of Public Accounts Committees and East African Association of Public Accounts Committees.

He said their collaboration creates a united front against people who target to drain Africa's resources. 

The participants were addressed by the Secretary General of AFROPAC, Mark Botomani lamented that African governments often ignore PAC recommendations and asked members to ensure they push their governments to take on their reports. 

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Busiro East MP Medard Ssegoona, also the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson in Uganda's Parliament remarks.