Inspector General of Government (IGG) Betty Kamya has urged the public to report instances of civil servants accumulating wealth unusually quickly. Kamya suspects that such instances may be indicative of corrupt activities, prompting the need for thorough investigations to determine the origin of their newfound prosperity.
During her visit to Soroti, Kamya expressed concern over the alleged loss of ten trillion Ugandan shillings to corruption in the country. She emphasized that this substantial sum could otherwise contribute to the improvement of critical sectors such as education and healthcare.
Government employees who exhibit sudden wealth without a plausible explanation are now under scrutiny, as Kamya asserted, “Any government employee who becomes rich in a way it’s not explained in a short time should be suspected to be a corrupt person and should be reported for us to investigate.”
To dispel concerns of potential witch-hunting, Kamya assured the public that investigations would be conducted fairly. She remarked on the detrimental impact of corruption on the quality of services provided by public servants, noting, “Most public employees get rich at the expense of the quality of services to this country that is very poor.”
Kamya continued her address by highlighting the paradoxical rise to prominence of corrupt officials, who, despite their ill-gotten wealth, become community leaders and hold influential positions in local institutions. She drew attention to the stark contrast between their elevated status and the inadequate healthcare facilities, stating, “The corrupt officers become bosses in their villages, they get high seats in the church, but when your loved ones fall sick they are taken to the hospital that has no drugs.”
In a poignant observation, Kamya criticized the apparent generosity of corrupt officials in times of crisis, asserting, “For him who stole is taken to India, America. The rich corrupt officials are quick to send you a condolence of sh500,000 because you have lost a loved one due to lack of drugs.”
Currently on routine visits in the Teso region, Kamya is conducting spot-checks on key government projects before hosting a public forum in Amuria district on Friday. Her efforts underscore the commitment to rooting out corruption and fostering transparency within the government.
