Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Ben Akumumanya has called on local government leaders to become the frontline defenders in the fight against corruption, saying accountability and ethical leadership at the grassroots level are essential for Uganda’s development.
Speaking during the commemoration of African Anti-Corruption Day held under the theme “No Sleep, No Corruption,” Akumumanya said corruption can only be defeated when leaders responsible for managing public institutions demonstrate integrity, transparency, and commitment to serving citizens.
He said local governments play a vital role in protecting public resources because they are directly responsible for delivering essential services to communities. According to him, decentralisation was introduced to bring government closer to the people, improve accountability, and ensure citizens participate in decision-making.
The Permanent Secretary urged senior managers in local governments to strengthen supervision of their teams and ensure that all public officers understand their responsibilities. He particularly challenged human resource managers to provide proper guidance and monitoring of officers under their supervision to promote discipline and professionalism.
Akumumanya reminded government officials that Uganda has clear laws and regulations designed to prevent corruption and guide public servants in executing their duties. He encouraged leaders to understand and apply these legal frameworks instead of waiting for corruption cases to emerge before taking action.
He also questioned whether some local government accounting officers fully understand the purpose of decentralisation, urging Chief Administrative Officers and Town Clerks to reflect on their roles in ensuring effective governance and efficient service delivery.
According to Akumumanya, corruption is not only fought through arrests and court cases but also through strong systems, responsible leadership, proper management of public institutions, and adherence to professional standards. He warned that leaders who misuse their authority weaken public trust and deny citizens the services they deserve.
His remarks come as the government continues to intensify the “No Sleep, No Corruption” campaign aimed at strengthening accountability and eliminating corruption in public institutions. The initiative focuses on tougher enforcement measures, improved transparency, and better management of government resources.
Akumumanya said empowering local governments to operate with integrity remains one of the most effective ways of ensuring decentralisation achieves its purpose. He called on all leaders to take personal responsibility in protecting public funds and building a culture of accountability across the country.
