Kampala, Uganda | The World Bank Country Manager, Ms Francisca Ayodeji Akala, has reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Inspectorate of Government (IG) in the fight against corruption and promotion of accountability in public projects.
Akala made the commitment on Thursday during a meeting with the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, at the World Bank Country Offices in Kololo.
Batala appreciated the Bank for its continued technical and institutional support towards enhancing transparency in Government programmes, particularly those funded by the World Bank.
She noted that the IG previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank Integrity Vice Presidency to facilitate information sharing and joint investigations of fraud and corruption.
The IGG emphasized the need to renew and operationalise the MoU to further strengthen joint efforts, especially in handling complex and high-profile corruption cases involving public funds.
Batala underscored prevention as one of the most effective strategies in combating corruption, calling on the World Bank to support preventive systems within public institutions.
She outlined the IG’s strategic priorities, including investigating and prosecuting high-profile and syndicated corruption cases; strengthening the capacity of investigators and prosecutors; and recruiting specialised personnel such as IT experts, forensic analysts, engineers and financial analysts to support complex investigations.
Other priorities include upgrading the forensic laboratory with modern technology, enforcing the Leadership Code of Conduct, enhancing asset tracing and recovery, and leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics to detect red flags in asset declarations.
The IGG also highlighted the need to advance digital transformation through automation and integration of key Inspectorate processes to improve efficiency and transparency.
Akala commended the IG for progress made in digitisation and institutional strengthening, noting that efficient systems are critical to safeguarding public resources and ensuring value for money in donor-funded projects.
She cited the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) as one of the programmes where IG oversight has been instrumental in ensuring project success and accountability at community level.
The two delegations agreed to expedite renewal of the MoU between the IG and the World Bank Integrity Vice Presidency to enhance coordination and information sharing.
They also discussed concerns raised by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development regarding reporting requirements for IG activities. Both sides pledged to resolve the matter to ensure smooth implementation of projects and uninterrupted accountability processes.
Members of the World Bank delegation commended the IG for empowering communities to demand accountability through public awareness and engagement programmes.
The IG delegation included Deputy Inspectors General of Government Anne Twinomugisha and Dr Patricia Achan Okiria, Annet Twine, Director of Project Risk Monitoring and Control; Joseph Pinycwa Vicky, Manager Strategy, Policy and Planning; Hajjat Munira Ali, Manager Strategic Partnerships and Public Relations; and Muhammad Mwasa, Personal Assistant to the IGG.
