The Uganda Law Society has appealed to the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and Juliet Kinyamatama to retract their statements and to reaffirm their commitment to the fight against corruption.
The Speaker and Kinyamatama made these troubling remarks while addressing masses in Lwengo district over the weekend. The legislators are quoted telling the masses that corruption is justified when a corrupt person share with his or her constituents.
Bernard Oundo, the President of Uganda Law Society, said they unequivocally condemn these remarks as they undermine the tireless efforts of various stakeholders in the fight against corruption and constitute a significant setback to the ongoing efforts to promote integrity and accountability in public administration.
He said the Constitution of Uganda provides a robust legal framework for ensuring accountability. The National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy mandate that all public offices are held in trust for the people and all persons in positions of leadership and responsibility must be answerable to the people.
“The Constitution further mandates that all lawful measures be taken to expose, combat, and eradicate corruption and abuse or misuse of power by those holding political and public offices,” he said.
He called upon all concerned stakeholders to conduct thorough and independent investigations into all the reports of high-level grand corruption, desist from making public comments geared towards undermining the work of accountability institutions and especially when the process involves leaders.
He said ULS remains committed to promoting the Rule of Law, Human Rights and Good Governance in Uganda.
