Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, the Deputy Inspector General of Government, stated that the exercise is already underway, and they are urging leaders to utilize the remaining time to make their declarations before the month ends. Achan noted that only 25 percent of government officials in Moroto district have so far declared their assets and expressed hope for a positive response as the exercise progresses.
The Inspectorate General of Government (IGG) is urging civil servants and leaders in the Karamoja sub-region to declare their assets, liabilities, and income before the end of March 2025. The IGG team has camped in the districts of Moroto, Kotido, and Karenga to rally district officials and remind leaders to comply with the wealth declaration obligation as the deadline approaches.
Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, the Deputy Inspector General of Government, stated that the exercise is already underway, and they are urging leaders to utilize the remaining time to make their declarations before the month ends.
Achan noted that only 25 percent of government officials in Moroto district have so far declared their assets and expressed hope for a positive response as the exercise progresses.
She emphasized the importance of complying with this responsibility, as the leadership code of conduct mandates that leaders live within a minimum standard of behavior.
Achan also highlighted challenges such as emails, poor internet connections, lack of support from the technical team, and the absence of internet data bundles, which are hindering the declaration process.
“We have noted these challenges and are working on addressing them,”
Achan said, adding that they are on the ground to support leaders who face difficulties during the declaration process. The focal point person has been stationed at the regional office in Moroto to assist leaders throughout the exercise.
Achan further mentioned that some individuals have been declaring fewer assets than they own, and they are conducting verification in a clustered approach to ensure that declarations align with known sources of income.
She warned that those who fail to comply with the directives face sanctions for violating the code, which include fines, warnings, cautions, demotions, dismissal from office, vacation of office, confiscation, and forfeiture of illicit assets.
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Richard Eyaru, the Town Clerk of Moroto Municipality, stated that he has already declared his assets and is now calling on other staff members to do the same.
Eyaru explained that while communication was sent to staff, some members were not technologically compliant and needed more support.
He revealed that most heads of departments have begun the exercise and those who haven’t yet are expected to do so within one week.
Eyaru pledged to ensure that all leaders declare their assets on time, stressing that they should not be caught off guard by the deadline.
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Article 223(2) and 234 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, along with Section 4 of the Leadership Code Act, require political and appointed leaders, as specified in the Second Schedule Part A and the Third Schedule Parts A and B of the Leadership Code Act (2002 amendment 2021), to declare their assets, income, and liabilities to the Inspectorate of Government every two years during March.
Godfred Eyoku
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