Uganda: Police Force Most Corrupt Institution - report

Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura

The Police Force is the most corrupt institution in Uganda followed by officials collecting taxes and government officials, a survey has revealed. The survey, based on 2,400 Ugandan respondents, puts police at 63% on the corruption index, followed by tax officials and government officials at 48% each. Judges and magistrates follow closely at 45%, the public sector at 44% and business executives at 40%. The Afrobarometer in conjunction with Transparency International conducted the survey dubbed ‘People and corruption: Africa Survey 2015’ in 36 countries across the Africa region. Some 69% of the Ugandan respondents said corruption is generally on the increase with 52% saying it increased a lot over the past one year. This is not the first time Uganda Police and Judiciary have been ranked among the top corrupt institutions.

In 2012, the Police Force was named the most corrupt institution in the country in an annual corruption report by the inspectorate of government in collaboration with the Economic Policy Research Center of Makerere University. Although the rate of bribery within the force reduced from 57.4% to 48% in a space of a year, it still topped other institutions. The judiciary followed at 24.8%, although it also reduced from 49% in 2011. The 2012 and 2013 Transparency International reports ranked Uganda Police as one of the most corrupt institutions in Uganda and East Africa.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga and his deputy Polly Namaye could not be reached for a comment. But in a recent statement, police Chief Gen. Kale Kayihura said corruption was of great and deep concern to the Force’s leaders, adding that they had set up a team to fight the vice. He also released toll-free number; 200019, 0800199199 and 0800199299 through which the public can report corrupt officers to police's Professional Standards Unit (PSU). Indeed, 70 police officers were last year arrested over various offences ranging from extortion, bribery and concealing exhibits by PSU. Most of the officers have since been suspended from their duties pending ongoing inquiries.

The inspectorate of government spokesperson, Munira Ali, declined to comment on the report, saying; “ask the police and other implicated institutions.” Solomon Muyita, the Uganda Judiciary senior communications officer said they had not yet received a copy of the report but added that the judiciary has a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. “Any body found engaging in acts of corruption is subjected to a disciplinary process and we have had cases where officials found culpable have been given punishments including discontinuation from service,” he explained.

Muyita said the office of the Chief Justice early this year put up toll free lines; 0776709100, 0703707085 and 0794702085 through which members of the public can register their complaints against judicial corrupt officers. “If we follow up the complaint and find substance in evidence adduced by the complainant, the officer is suspended to allow the disciplinary process take its course,” he said, adding that they have also started installing cameras in court registries to monitor the conduct of officers. Attempts to get a comment from the Anti- Corruption Coalition Uganda executive director, Cissy Kagaba, on the report were futile.