Junior govt officials urged to demand written receipts for funds

Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Kamya has cautioned junior officials in lower local governments to demand written receipts or acknowledgements when handing over public funds to senior officials.

Kamya warns that without proper documentation, the accountability burden unfairly falls on the junior officers. 

Kamya made the remarks on May 27, 2025, during the presentation of the Inspectorate of Government’s bi-annual performance report for the period July to December 2024.

The event was held in the Speaker of Parliament’s boardroom and was officiated by Parliamentary Commissioner Esther Afoyochan (Zombo District Woman MP, NRM), who represented Speaker Anita Among.

“Senior officials often instruct junior staff to provide money for activities like program inspections without signing any acknowledgement. When accountability is later demanded, it is the junior officer who is held responsible. I urge junior officials to ensure everything is documented in writing,” Kamya said.

Kamya (Left) presents the IG’s bi-annual performance report for July to December 2024 to Parliament Commissioner Afoyochan (Right). (Courtesy Photos)

Shillings four billion recovered

During the second half of 2024, the Inspectorate recovered shillings 4.2 billion in assets, a significant rise from the 2.3 billion recovered in the first half of the year. These assets included cash, land and buildings.

However, the total amount ordered for recovery during January to June was higher at shillings 15.7 billion compared to eight billion for July to December.

Kamya called for urgent legal reforms to improve the asset recovery process. She appealed to the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity to fast-track the development of the Anti-Corruption (Confiscation and Recovery Orders) Rules, 2025, to enhance conviction-based recoveries.

She outlined several institutional challenges that are undermining the IG’s anti-corruption efforts, including inadequate funding for operations. This has constrained the IG’s ability to conduct investigations, enforce the Leadership Code, and carry out its ombudsman functions.

Limited digital infrastructure: The IG lags behind peer institutions in automation and digitisation, affecting operational efficiency. Understaffing: Following the 2020/2021 amendment to the Leadership Code Act, the number of public officials required to declare wealth rose from 25,000 to about 380,000, putting a strain on existing personnel.

Skills gap: The IG lacks sufficient expertise in digital forensics, data analytics, and advanced investigative methods. Outdated transport fleet: Investigative work requires extensive field travel, yet the IG’s fleet is largely obsolete.

Kamya urged Parliament to consider increased budgetary allocations to the IG to support recruitment, staff training, digital upgrades, acquisition of modern equipment, and improved transportation.

Kamya urged Parliament to consider increased budgetary allocations to the IG to support recruitment, staff training, digital upgrades, acquisition of modern equipment, and improved transportation.

She stressed that Uganda loses about sh10 trillion annually to corruption, and emphasised that equipping the IG with adequate resources could significantly reduce these losses.

Additionally, Kamya revealed that in the second half of 2024, the IG recommended payments totalling shillings 4.8 billion for individuals who had lodged complaints about unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities, and other benefits.

She noted a court conviction rate of 81%, with 1,347 new complaints received during the July to December period down from 1,657 in the first half of the year.

Afoyochan commended the IG’s efforts and pledged that Parliament would address the funding challenges. She echoed Kamya’s concerns about corruption at the local level. 

“Many junior officials do not know that they can report senior officers who demand money without accountability. When I worked in local government, a senior official once asked me to hand over funds without any record. Later, that same person reported me to the IG. Without written proof, it’s difficult to hold people accountable,” Afoyochan said.