Author: Kennedy

December 07, 2023. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in partnership with the National Debate Council Uganda has hosted the 2nd Edition of the Uganda Speech and Debate Champions League in 2023. The event happens annually and this year’s edition took place at the Office of the President in Kampala under the theme “Strengthening Partnerships in the War Against Corruption.”

The competition featured past champions of the National Speech & Debate Championship. These champions were seeded together in a knockout competition to determine the overall champion of champions. The participating schools are; Mbarara High School, Ntare School, Kings College Budo, Sacred Heart SS Gulu, Nyakasura School, Kiira College Butiki, Mengo Senior School, and St. Mary’s College Kisubi.

Preliminary rounds were held on Friday, December 1st, and Saturday, December 2nd, 2023.

The competition finals, saw Mengo Senior School (returning finalists) battle it out against Ntare School. The debate motion was “Online demonization of perceived corrupt government officials.” Ntare School emerged as the overall winner.

The Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Brigadier General Henry Isoke, commended the students for joining the fight against corruption through school debates and other competitions. He assured them that their actions today would have a lasting impact on the halls of power in the future.

Brigadier General Isoke expressed his gratitude to the students, coaches, and school leaders for their participation and facilitation of this year’s competition.

He specifically thanked Mr. Gasta Kakaire, the Executive Director of the National Debate Council Uganda, for mobilizing young people to participate in the initiative. Brigadier General Isoke also reaffirmed the shared commitment of Anti-Corruption Agencies to fostering a generation of informed, empowered, and socially responsible future leaders.
Mr Gasta Kakaire thanked the State House Anti-corruption Unit and other partner Anti-corruption Agencies for their continued support towards the young people because they are key stakeholders in the fight against corruption. He pledged to continue bringing young people together for they are the future of the nation.

December, 6, 2023. Anti-Corruption Stakeholders including The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), Inspectorate of Government, Office of the Auditor General, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets among others have convened the Anti-Corruption Stakeholders Conference for District and City Service Commissions at Hotel Africana to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption Day 2023, with the theme “Strengthening Partnership in the War Against Corruption”.

The conference aimed to foster collaboration between these Anti-corruption Agencies and Service Commission. The Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, delivered a powerful message to Service Commission Chairpersons. She highlighted the numerous complaints against the commissions and the detrimental impact of hiring individuals with false qualifications on service quality.

“We expect integrity from service commissioners,” Nakyobe emphasized. “You advise the President on recruitment, a responsibility undermined by compromised honesty. The public service once stood for excellence, and we must reclaim that. Otherwise, unqualified individuals will infiltrate the system, hindering service delivery. We need unwavering efficiency in public service.”

Deputy IGG, Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, echoed these concerns, citing specific examples of political interference in recruitment. “Local governments experience compromised recruitment,” she stated. “For instance, a politician appoints a campaign manager, lacking even a high school diploma, as a district political analyst. Shockingly, the service commission approves this. What kind of service can we expect from such a person? As service commissioners, you hold these positions for the public good. Don’t let politics undermine service delivery. Hire only qualified personnel to ensure exceptional service.”

The Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), Brig Gen Henry Isoke, commended the candid discussions on District and City Service Commission issues. He identified a key driver of corruption: officials who shirk their duties by claiming political pressure or “orders from above.”

“These excuses are mere cover-ups,” Brig Gen Isoke asserted. “Public Service Commissions have clear guidelines and terms of reference. These should be your compass.”

He highlighted SHACU’s success, working alongside other anti-corruption agencies, in bringing 521 individuals before the courts. Of these, 282 were civil servants, with 87 convictions secured. Brig Gen Isoke concluded by pledging SHACU’s unwavering support for those dedicated to fighting corruption with unwavering commitment.

Date: September 23,2022

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit together with Uganda Police remain steadfast in their tireless efforts to promote accountability and transparency in a resolute endeavor to combat corruption. Recent events demonstrate the Unit’s commitment to ridding Lira District of unethical behavior and corrupt tendencies.

Omara Geofrey, a physical planner for Lira City, was convicted of corruption. Mr. Geofrey was found guilty for soliciting a bribe of UGX4 Million in exchange for processing of a lease extension for public land in Lira Municipality, he solicited and accept.

As a consequence of his actions, Mr. Geofrey will not serve in any capacity for government for a period of 10 years.

In a connection to this matter, Ogwal Phillip, the physical planner for Lira District, has also been summoned to appear in court to answer on the same charges.

In a related development, On September 22, 2023. Mr. Otuke Pabious, the Natural Resources Officer, and Mr. Ogwang Joel, a Cartographer, Lira district, were also charged with abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud, and fraudulent procurement of property titles. During a survey in Lira, these officials purposely omitted a portion of public property on which they produced private land titles.

The accused allegedly went ahead and assigned the illegally obtained land titles to their accomplice, Ms. Atoo Rebecca. The trio were remanded to Prison till the September 28th, 2023.

The District Staff Surveyor, a key suspect in this matter, is still at large.

Date: September 21, 2022

In a significant stride towards strengthening the anti-corruption landscape, the Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Brig Gen Henry Isoke, has delivered a lecture inter-agency collaboration in the anti-corruption fight. The informative session took place at the Institute of Intelligence and Security Studies in Entebbe, to the trainees of the Internal Security Organization (ISO).

In his address, Brig Gen Isoke, emphasized the critical role of ISO in fighting the complicated nature of corruption. By generating actionable intelligence on syndicated corruption within government agencies, ISO has emerged as a valuable ally in the fight against corruption. This partnership strengthens the anti-corruption efforts, contributing significantly to the broader goal of a corruption-free society.

The effectiveness of the Unit’s work has been significantly enhanced through intelligence-led investigations conducted by ISO. This collaboration highlights the critical need for continued cooperation, not only between the two agencies but also with other prominent Anti-Corruption Agencies.

During the interaction, the Deputy Director General of ISO, Lt. Col. Emmy Katabazi, stressed the importance of the ongoing training for enhancing the organization’s human resource capabilities. He added that the trainees are the foundation for gathering information about corrupt practices across all levels of government. This strategic information gathering is poised to boost developmental initiatives from the grassroots level upwards.

The collaboration between the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and ISO demonstrates a strong commitment to fighting corruption together.

The Head, State House Anti-corruption Unit, Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke has held a meeting with the ED Kampala City Council Authority, Dr. Dorothy Kisaka & the Executive Secretary, National Building Review Board of Uganda, Eng. Flavia Bwire to discuss concerns and complaints about city developers who carry out developments in contravention of the Building Control Act.

The meeting comes following a number of compalints got from citizens especially those that dwell near the different infrastructure developments in the city. It was agreed that in order to create a safer environment for citizens, there is need for stronger partnerships of agencies to collaborate and come up with more effective ways to ensure compliance by the developers.

During the meeting, developers were cautioned against the contravention of the National building control Act, an Act that provides for building standards, to ensure planned, decent and safe building structures that are developed in harmony with the environment.

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit Head Brigadier General Henry Isoke, visited Sera Kasenyi Military Academy on July 7th, 2022, to give a lecture to Senior Police Officers on Winning the Fight Against Corruption. The senior police offices who included commissioners, assistant commissioners were on training on leadership and management on strategic studies.

On the June 22, 2022 State house Anti-Corruption Unit under its mother agency the State house, joined other Ministries, Departments and Agencies to celebrate the Africa Public Service Day at Kololo Independence grounds. The day was preceded by a number of activities including sports competitions amongst different government MDA. The day was concluded with an exhibition in Kololo where different government agencies explained to citizen the services they offer.

The day was celebrated under the theme, Bringing Citizens and Government Closer, Service Delivery for Social Economic Transformation, and included a variety of activities such as participation in sports activities such as football, Netball, volleyball, chase, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility activities at Nakasero Primary School where we painted a classroom block, had a light time, and shared a meal with the pupils, and finally, we took part in an exhibition where we discussed the unit’s work and provided information about the unit’s work.