By Sabir Musa

Arua

More than 30 corruption cases were reported by members of public during Inspectorate of Government baraza held in Arua City, an engagement meant to receive complaints of corruption. These cases reported among others include nepotism, extortion and abuse of public office, mainly pinning local governments and public officers.

Case at Arua Regional Referral Hospital
Earlier before the baraza, Inspector General of Government (IGG), Betty Olive Kamya and the team made an impromptu visit at Arua Regional Referral Hospital at 8:30am and were guided in a tour at different departments by Hospital Director.

IGG Betty Olive Kamya listens to Arua Regional Referral Hospital Director, Dr. Alex Andema

At maternity ward, the IGG ordered for arrest of two volunteers; a midwife, Munguci Gladys and an enrolled nurse, Manzede Nancy following several complaints of extortion reported against them by expectant mothers and their attendants, the suspects were detained at Arua Central Police Station to aid investigation. “We keep saying that the war against corruption begins with you; whether it is to point out somebody who took money from you that is good, whether it is to refuse to take a bribe or refuse to pay bribe. Whatever little you do will be a big step in winning this war” IGG said.

This case is leading more than 30 others registered by Inspectorate of Government. All the cases received from public, according to Inspectorate of Government will be investigated within 3-months and feedback be given after completion, especially for those with lead (evidence).

Arua Resident District Commissioner, Geoffrey Okiswa pledged to organize such engagements to enable public report cases of corruption. He says, such platforms give people chance of expressing themselves openly. “I pledge to replicate up-to the district and urge all my other colleagues to do the same in their respective” the RDC commits. Although government and civil society organizations design programs and other strategies to end the vice in the country, authorities continues to register cases of corruption at different levels.

The Director of Esther Generation School, Juliet Azaa recommends implementation of anti-corruption programs at school level as a strategy of ending the vice in future. “If we design a program that we’ll implement in schools beginning from preprimary, primary and lower secondary, we will be able to teach our children for generations about corruption and then get rid of it from the roots” she suggests.

Inspectorate of Government revels that Arua District and Arua City have a total of 162 government projects being implemented under different programs, a reason of their visit to inspect the progress.

COVER PHOTO: IGG giving remarks on the complainst registered from members of public By Sabir Musa