Uganda’s Rule of Law Plummets: Corruption at Its Core
In a recent report by the World Justice Project (WJP), Uganda finds itself in the uncomfortable spotlight, ranking as the second most corrupt nation among the world’s low-income countries, surpassed only by the Democratic Republic of Congo. This damning revelation primarily points fingers at government officials in the executive branch, who are accused of exploiting their public positions for personal gain, which involves accepting bribes, informal payments, and other perks while supposedly delivering public services and enforcing regulations.
The scope of this corruption investigation extends to scrutinizing how government procurement and public works contracts are awarded, and whether officials in the executive branch are misappropriating public funds. What further taints Uganda’s reputation is the involvement of government officials within the police and the military, who also misuse their roles for personal enrichment. They stand accused of soliciting and accepting bribes to perform basic law enforcement and military functions, while remaining susceptible to undue influence from private interests and criminal organizations.
Additionally, members of the judicial branch, including judges and judicial officials, are implicated in this web of corruption. They are accused of soliciting and accepting bribes to expedite legal processes, all the while their rulings are perceived as tainted by external influences, be it the government, private entities, or criminal organizations.
Parliamentarians and government officials in the legislative branch also do not escape this report unscathed. They are alleged to leverage their public offices to gain personal advantages by seeking or accepting bribes or other incentives in exchange for political favors or favorable votes on legislation, albeit to a lesser extent.
The WJP, an independent and nonpartisan organization, spearheaded this research. It ranks 142 countries using 44 indicators across eight categories, which include Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order and Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice, and Criminal Justice. The annual WJP Rule of Law Index, a widely recognized measure, compiles this data to assist governments, organizations, businesses, and academia in assessing and addressing rule of law shortcomings.
Uganda’s ranking in the latest report is 125th out of 142 countries, indicating its position above only 17 other nations. Regionally, Uganda stands 28th among 34 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, surpassing only six. Notably, Uganda’s score has improved this year in contrast to previous years, particularly in the area of Civil Justice.
However, Uganda’s rule of law score for Criminal Justice stands at a concerning 32%, showcasing a noteworthy shortcoming in its criminal justice system. In essence, this category assesses how the entire system, including the police, lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and prison officers, functions in the eyes of the public. It delves into elements like corruption, improper government influence, the effectiveness of criminal investigations, and due process.
The Order and Security category, which gauges how well society safeguards individuals and their property, demonstrates a drop in Uganda’s scores to 57%. It reflects security as a fundamental function of the state, safeguarding rights and freedoms upheld by the rule of law. Notably, civil conflict is relatively well contained, with Uganda scoring 94% in this aspect. However, the country performs poorly in preventing individuals from resorting to violence to settle personal grievances, where it scores just 24%.
The rising trend of mob justice in Uganda is an alarming phenomenon. This extrajudicial form of punishment often results in public humiliation, physical assault, and even death, and it occurs when individuals suspected of wrongdoing do not receive a fair trial. Uganda has seen a surge in cases, with around one in six Ugandans participating in such incidents, leading to 746 fatalities in 2019. This is primarily driven by the lack of trust in the formal criminal justice system to deliver fair and prompt justice. In recent incidents, security forces have also been targets of mob attacks, further highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The 2023 WJP Rule of Law Index underscores that an effective rule of law could help reduce corruption and, in turn, combat poverty, disease, and societal injustices. Rule of law serves as the foundation for accountable government, development, and the protection of fundamental rights. Uganda’s worst score is in the criminal justice category, which evaluates the country’s criminal justice system.
Globally, the report reveals that the rule of law has been declining in the majority of countries, with 59% of nations experiencing a decrease this year. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Rwanda stands as the best performer on the Rule of Law Index, ranking 41st out of 142 countries. Uganda finds itself among the countries with declining scores, ranking 13th among 18 low-income countries. On a global scale, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Germany take the top positions, while Venezuela, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo hold the lowest ranks.
The WJP’s findings emphasize the critical role of the rule of law in underpinning development, accountable governance, and the protection of fundamental rights. A decline in the rule of law jeopardizes the checks and balances that should hold executive powers in check, leading to executive overreach, erosion of human rights, and failing justice systems. Uganda’s consistent low performance in corruption rankings continues to be a cause for concern, fueled by numerous high-profile cases, such as government officials involved in misappropriation, land grabbing, and public procurement scandals. The country must strive to restore its standing and build a more transparent and accountable government to combat corruption effectively and deliver justice to its citizens.
