Speaker wants constitution amended to enable IGG pursue corruption in private sector

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has proposed an amendment to the constitution to ensure that the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) can hold people in the private sector accountable for money sent to them by the government.

The Inspectorate of Government is charged with the responsibility of eliminating corruption, abuse of authority and of public office. It is mandated to investigate, arrest, and prosecute government officials suspected of practising corruption.

And now, the Speaker wants these powers extended to cover the private sector, especially entities benefiting from government funding.

The Speaker says the constitution as it stands limits the IGG to only investigate and hold the public sector accountable, and yet a lot of money is moved from the public coffers to the private sector.

To formalize such dealings between the government and the private, Uganda formulated The Public-Private Partnership Act which was enacted in August 2015. The law provides for how government can collaborate with the private sector on matters of national importance.

The Act, adopted from the Public-Private Partnership Framework Policy, provides for better utilization and allocation of public funds, efficient delivery of good quality public services and increased economic growth.