The Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union has called for a stronger and more systematic approach to fighting corruption, urging Government to prioritise due diligence, follow established procedures, adequately fund accountability institutions and protect civil servants from unnecessary humiliation during investigations.
In a press statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, the union welcomed the renewed national focus on corruption, accountability and service delivery but cautioned against an approach that concentrates mainly on individual officials after public resources have already been lost. It said Government should instead strengthen systems capable of identifying risks, preventing abuse and addressing weaknesses before they develop into major accountability failures.
The union stressed that action against corruption must be supported by proper investigations, credible evidence and respect for due process. It said civil servants should not be publicly treated as guilty before investigations, disciplinary procedures or courts have established responsibility, warning that unnecessary intimidation, humiliation and victimisation could undermine the morale of workers who are responsible for delivering essential public services.
According to the union, accountability should also examine the wider management chain surrounding questionable transactions rather than focusing only on individual officers. Investigators should establish who authorised, supervised, verified or certified decisions and whether warning signs were ignored. The union said this would help Government address institutional weaknesses while ensuring that workers who acted properly are not unfairly blamed for failures beyond their control.
The union has consequently called for increased funding, staffing and logistical support for key accountability institutions, including the Inspectorate of Government, Auditor General, Public Accounts Committee and Criminal Investigations Directorate. It argued that properly facilitated institutions would be better positioned to conduct thorough audits, investigations and follow-ups and ensure that proven cases are handled according to the law.
As part of its proposed reforms, the union wants Government to establish a National Local Government Integrity, Accountability and Service Delivery Framework, supported by Integrity and Accountability Committees in districts, cities and municipalities. The committees would bring together technical managers, internal auditors, relevant political leaders and workers’ representatives to identify corruption risks, monitor audit recommendations, examine financial and procurement weaknesses and follow up service-delivery complaints.
The union also wants stronger safeguards around recruitment, staff transfers and whistleblowing. It called for District Service Commissions to uphold merit, transparency and proper record keeping, while any use of staff rotation as an anti-corruption measure should follow clear national guidelines to prevent arbitrary transfers, victimisation and political interference. It further called for confidential reporting systems to protect workers who expose corruption or refuse to participate in unlawful activities.
The Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union said the reforms must be matched with adequate resources for local governments, noting that civil servants are implementing programmes such as the Parish Development Model, SAGE, Emyooga and UWEP alongside their statutory duties. It has asked the Ministry of Local Government to convene a national consultative meeting within 60 days to develop and pilot the proposed framework, arguing that Uganda can strengthen the fight against corruption while protecting the dignity of civil servants through due diligence, evidence-based investigations, proper procedures and adequately funded accountability institutions.
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