New Local Leaders Warned Against Abuse of Office

The Inspectorate of Government has warned newly elected Local Government leaders against corruption, abuse of office and diversion of public resources, urging them to put accountability and transparency at the centre of service delivery.

The warning was issued during a training for facilitators ahead of the induction of newly elected Local Government Councils in the Greater Masaka Sub-region.

The training was jointly conducted by the Inspectorate of Government and the Ministry of Local Government in Masaka City to prepare facilitators to induct the new councils on their mandates and responsibilities.

Christine Lamwaka, Assistant Director of Advocacy and Capacity Building at the IG, who represented the Inspector General of Government, Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, said weak oversight, secrecy and unchecked power create an environment in which corruption can thrive.

She urged local leaders to uphold integrity, transparency, accountability, responsiveness and public participation when making decisions and managing public resources.

“Corruption thrives where there is secrecy, weak oversight, unchecked power and limited citizen participation,” Lamwaka said.

She said good governance is an important tool in preventing and combating corruption because it ensures public officials are held accountable for their decisions, government processes remain transparent and public resources are properly managed.

Lamwaka cautioned local leaders against allowing government programmes and resources to be diverted from their intended beneficiaries through favouritism, abuse of office or other forms of corruption.

She said Local Government Councils are at the frontline of service delivery and therefore have a critical role in ensuring that public resources translate into tangible improvements in communities.

The official also urged councils to strengthen oversight of public projects, maintain proper records, promote openness in decision-making and establish avenues through which citizens can raise concerns and report suspected corruption.

She said corruption prevention should begin with responsible leadership, arguing that leaders who subject their decisions to public scrutiny can protect public resources and strengthen citizens’ confidence in government institutions.

Lamwaka also took participants through the mandate of the Inspectorate of Government and explained the distinct but complementary roles of political and technical leaders in promoting effective governance at the local level.

She identified weak internal controls and other corruption risks as areas requiring increased vigilance and urged local government officials to promptly report suspected corruption through established channels.

The training is part of preparations to induct newly sworn-in Local Government leaders as they assume their responsibilities.

Lamwaka said strengthening the capacity of local leaders from the beginning of their tenure would help establish a culture of accountability and improve service delivery at the grassroots.

She reaffirmed the Inspectorate’s commitment to working with Local Government officials in promoting integrity and combating corruption.

The training brought together facilitators from the Greater Masaka Sub-region, who were equipped with knowledge and practical skills to guide the induction of the new councils on their mandates and responsibilities.