Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Drive Faces New Test as Public Confidence Remains Low

Kampala, Uganda

Despite renewed public pledges from government leaders, Ugandans remain skeptical about the country’s ability to fight corruption, as recent reports point to continued misuse of public funds.

The Inspectorate of Government and Auditor General have highlighted irregular procurement practices in several ministries, departments, and agencies. High-profile arrests in past years have failed to produce sustained convictions, reinforcing public mistrust.

Civil society groups say political interference and weak enforcement mechanisms have undermined accountability. Opposition lawmakers have called for stronger whistleblower protections and judicial independence to strengthen convictions.

Government officials insist that reforms are underway, including digital procurement systems and mandatory asset declarations, but implementation remains slow.

Why it matters:
Corruption directly affects service delivery, infrastructure quality, healthcare access, and public trust in democratic institutions. Without strong accountability, development funds risk being diverted away from public needs.

What to watch

New corruption cases referred to the Anti-Corruption Court

Parliamentary oversight committee hearings

Progress of digital procurement systems

Uganda’s rankings in Transparency International reports