CURBING CORRUPTION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN UGANDA : EXPERIENCE OF BUSHENYI DISTRICT Presented by Bitarabeho Johnson Chief Administration Officer, Bushenyi District, Uganda May, 2003

Corruption: Is “a diversion from the set/accepted norms in the course of performance of one’s public duties, for selfish personal gain”. Historical Perspective Absence of Rule of Law Lack of Democracy and Accountability Decentralisation Policy

Forms of Corruption: Fraud and Embezzlement. Misappropriation of public funds Misuse of public assets. ‘Air supply’ ‘Ghost employees’. Bribery and extortion. Nepotism and favoritism. Economic and peer group pressures Political turbulence Weak institutional controls and supervision. Moral decay, Greed and excessive ambitions. Causes:

Effects Disrepute to the country and its leadership Collapse of delivery of services Inequity in distribution of resources Demoralizes committed officers Demotivates development partners Weakens democratic governance. Environmental degradation.

i) National level framework:- Legal Frame work Institutional Framework ii) District level framework: - Technical Institutions Political Institutions Boards, Commissions and Committees. Measures to combat corruption

iii) Action taken by Bushenyi Functional institutions Human Resource Development Bottom–up Participatory Planning and budgeting. Consensus on resource allocation by all stakeholders. Expenditure/budget control Multi-sectoral monitoring & evaluation Improved reporting Public Launching of projects. Public notices on resource allocation, Bushenyi Radio programme Establishment of Investment and Project Management Committees at community level. Mentoring of lower councils Greater involvement of private sector and civil society organisations. Prosecution of corrupt officials. Public suggestion box Anti-Corruption Week Recognising Good Performers Charter on accountability /code of conduct for LGs Measures to combat corruption

Improved financial management Funds reach target population Timely implementation of projects Increased awareness, community contribution, ownership and sustainability Improved relationship between political leaders and the technical officers in the District. Increased participation of civil society organizations and private sector in service delivery. Enhanced service delivery (see table below) Impact

Service Immunisation 40% 82% Safe water 51.3% 62.5% Literacy 56% 65% District roads670 kms810 kms District Revenue 13.9 Bn 26.4 Bn P/S enrolment( ) Pupils116, ,792 Classrooms 497 Three Seater Desks7,452 Table on service delivery

Low household incomes Inadequate resources. Poor remuneration of public and political leaders High salary compression ratio (1:75) i.e. from UShs. 60,000= to UShs. 4,500,000= Political influence Moral decadence of society. Weak Civil society organizations HIV /AIDS scourge. Weak anti-corruption institutions Greater Political commitment at all levels Strengthen Planning, financial management, investigation and prosecution Make corruption an expensive venture Strengthen roles of stakeholders - media, community, civil society, Parliament Challenges: Way forward:

Corruption is a cancer that eats the social, political and economic fabric of development. It requires co-operation of everybody and support by the international community. Conclusion: