Kampala, Uganda: The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, has challenged public officers to strengthen service delivery and prevent corruption before it takes root, saying the quality of government institutions is ultimately measured by the experience of ordinary citizens seeking public services.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 15, during the commemoration of African Anti-Corruption Day (AACD) 2026, Lady Justice Naluzze urged accounting officers and institutional leaders to reflect on whether government systems are responsive, transparent and accountable.
“When a citizen walks into a government office tomorrow morning, what experience will they have? Will they find a public service that listens, responds, and delivers? Or will they encounter delays, indifference, and systems that make the government seem distant from their daily struggles?” she asked.
The event was held under the theme, “No Sleep; No Corruption: A Call for Heightened Vigilance, Diligence, and Commitment to Public Service.”
Lady Justice Naluzze said the theme serves as a reminder that corruption flourishes where oversight is weak, accountability is ignored, and leaders become complacent.
She urged accounting officers to strengthen internal controls, regularly monitor government projects, implement audit recommendations and ensure that every public resource delivers value to citizens.
“It means asking difficult questions when figures do not add up, visiting projects to verify progress, strengthening internal controls, following up audit recommendations and ensuring that every public shilling delivers value to citizens,” she said.
The IGG reaffirmed the Inspectorate of Government’s commitment to promoting good governance, enforcing accountability, and fighting corruption across public institutions.
She noted, however, that the institution’s greatest success would not be measured by the number of investigations or prosecutions undertaken, but by the number of government institutions that strengthen their systems, prevent corruption, and consistently provide quality services.
The commemoration, held both physically and virtually, brought together Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), city and town clerks, members of anti-corruption agencies and representatives of civil society organisations.
Delivering the keynote address, Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya reminded accounting officers that strict compliance with the law remains the foundation of effective public administration.
“Accounting Officers in Local Governments are the strategic frontline commanders for service delivery in the country. They must stick to the law, and anybody who does contrary to the law will be held accountable,” Kumumanya warned.
State Minister for Ethics and Integrity Rose Lilly Akello called for a coordinated national approach to combating corruption, urging greater involvement of religious institutions, civil society organisations, cultural leaders and educational institutions.
She also appealed to Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) and Local Council V chairpersons to intensify supervision of government programmes within their respective districts.
Deputy Inspector General of Government Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe said Chief Administrative Officers, city clerks and town clerks remain the face of government at the local level and therefore carry a critical responsibility in restoring public confidence.
“When you act with integrity, citizens believe in the state. When you falter, their trust crumbles. Yours is not merely a job; it is a sacred trust. You hold the keys to service delivery, and with that privilege comes an extraordinary responsibility to shape a culture of integrity from the ground up,” she said.
The event was also attended by Deputy IGG Dr Patricia Achan Okiria, alongside directors and staff of the Inspectorate of Government, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption.
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