The Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Olive Kamya has given President Museveni, NUP president Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu, Members of parliament and other elected leaders and civil servants 30 days to declare their wealth or else face the full wrath of the law.
Kamya while speaking at a media briefing yesterday in Kampala said that the declaration of assets, income and liabilities by specified categories of leaders will take place for 31 days during the month of March.
The exercise will be launched next Wednesday in Lira City by the deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, “who will in effect be the first declarant this year.”
“The exercise will run from March 1 and close on March 31. Please take serious note that there is no provision in the law to extend this period,” Ms Kamya said.
She added: “Therefore any leader who will not have declared by March 31 will be in violation of the law.”
Joram Magezi, the director of the Leadership Code, which is responsible for ensuring adherence to principles and values of integrity among leaders as specified in the Leadership Code Act, revealed that during the last two years, 31 people have been sanctioned for non-declaration of assets.
“Out of these, 10 were convicted and fined while others were cautioned,” he said, adding: “And as of now, we have 19 ongoing cases, which are with the tribunal.”
Who should declare?
Those required by law to declare assets include elected political leaders from sub-county level up to President. Others are presidential appointees such as permanent secretaries, heads of public institutions, board members of public institutions, and executive leaders of political parties.
If the public officials do not declare their wealth, under declare, over declare or falsify facts, they could face hefty fines, demotion, dismissal from office, and confiscation of any illicitly acquired assets.
Articles 233 (2) and 234 of the Constitution of Uganda and Section 4 of the Leadership Code Act, 2021, to declare to IGG their incomes, assets and liabilities every two years during the month of March.
