By Sunday Amandi

Arua City

As an effort to promote the fight against corruption in this country, Action Aid international Uganda plans to host the National citizens Integrity award in conjunction with partners, to recognise civil servants who have demonstrated a high level of integrity in serving their community. These awards will be hosted on 11^th of July this year, on the Africa Anti-corruption day.

During a press release about the program in Arua city, Feni Twaib, the executive officer, West Nile Regional civil society network says, the awards seeks to promote the fight against corruption. “This award started way back to recognise people working in public sector, who are providing services to people selflessly, who stick to their ethics and code of conduct in a very patriotic way, “Feni said.

The winners of these awards will be chosen through a systematic and transparent process, and the selection process will begin with the nomination of the candidates who have worked diligently in public office for not less than five years.

Rehema Minala, a legal officer with FIDA Uganda explained that, the vetting committee will follow the criteria of selecting the winners rightfully in order to get the rightful winners. “The vetting committee will vet the nominees on a scale of one to five,” said Minala.

According to Emily Drijaru, the executive director of integrated child service consult, only those who have served the community with integrity will be considered for these awards.

In early 2000s, Action Aid Uganda and its partners introduced citizen audits to inform the naming and shaming of public officers to put the citizens at the centre of the fight against corruption.

The partners involved in this cause are Anti-corruption coalition Uganda, Transparency International Uganda, Uganda debt network, Inspectorate of government, Directorate of ethics and integrity, regional partners, and the media.

COVER PHOTO: Officials during the press conference in Arua city By Sunday Amandi