The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Aisha Naluuze, has announced that 241,230 public officers successfully submitted declarations of incomes, assets, and liabilities during the April 2026 declaration exercise, representing an 80 percent compliance rate.

According to Naluuze, the declaration exercise is mandated under the Leadership Code Act enacted in 2002 and later amended in 2017 and 2021 as part of efforts to strengthen good governance and fight corruption in Uganda.

She said the declaration period ran from April 1 to April 30, 2026, with a total of 302,800 public officers registered on the Inspectorate of Government Online Declaration System (IG-ODS). However, 61,570 public officers had not complied by the close of the exercise.

Naluuze noted that preparations for the exercise included harmonization of public officers’ data with the Office of the Public Service and updating the IG-ODS register to improve efficiency and accuracy.

The IGG explained that focal persons and IT support officials were nominated across ministries, departments, agencies, and local governments to support public officers during the declaration process. Graduate trainees were also recruited and deployed to regional offices to assist local governments and provide technical support.

She added that institutional focal persons, IT support teams, graduate trainees, and Leadership Code Tribunal staff underwent training on declaration requirements, procedures, and methods before the commencement of the exercise.

Naluuze further said nationwide awareness campaigns were conducted through television programs, radio talk shows, social media platforms, radio announcements, and field outreach activities to sensitize public officers on compliance requirements. Outreach activities were specifically conducted in the West Nile and Acholi sub-regions to provide guidance and clarification during the declaration period.

The IGG pointed out several challenges that affected the exercise, including late compliance, technical system interruptions, resistance by some public officers, limited internet connectivity in rural areas, and inadequate knowledge on the use of digital devices.

Naluuze said the Inspectorate plans to amend standing orders to make declaration compulsory for public service officers as part of efforts to strengthen compliance with the Leadership Code Act.

She emphasized that greater focus will now be placed on enforcement against non-compliance, verification of declarations, and improving efficiency through early submissions in future exercises.

The IGG also confirmed that cases involving non-declaration will be processed and referred to the Leadership Code Tribunal for appropriate action in accordance with the law.

Naluuze added that the Inspectorate will use the e-verification tool to identify high-risk public officers and support investigations into possible inconsistencies in declared incomes, assets, and liabilities.

She also called upon members of the public to support enforcement of the Leadership Code by reporting public officers with suspected unexplained wealth, flamboyant lifestyles, or undeclared assets for investigation.

Naluuze appreciated public officers, accounting officers, Inspectorate staff, institutional stakeholders, graduate trainees, and the media for contributing to the success of the April 2026 declaration exercise.