The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, has called for reforms in the IGG law to establish a dedicated budget line for rewarding whistleblowers, arguing that incentivising individuals who expose corruption could significantly boost the fight against the rampant corruption and help recovery the stolen public funds.
Oboth made the remarks while receiving the Inspectorate of Government’s 55th Bi-Annual Performance Report for January to June 2026, presented by the Inspector General of Government, Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala.
Batala was accompanied by her deputy, Mrs Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, and other senior officials of the Inspectorate. Chairpersons of parliamentary committees also attended the meeting.
The Speaker said corruption was not an isolated problem but one that required vigilance and accountability within public institutions, including Parliament.
“Corruption is not done in the forest. It’s among us, ourselves here,” Oboth said.
He commended the Inspector General for demonstrating that no individual was beyond scrutiny, noting that parliamentary committee chairpersons could serve as partners in the fight against corruption but could also face investigation where necessary.
He added that accountability must extend to everyone, including the Speaker of Parliament.
Oboth said whistleblowers often expose themselves to significant risks by providing information about corrupt practices. He warned that failure to reward or protect informants after successful recoveries could discourage others from coming forward.
“The law already provides for a percentage reward. The Inspectorate should propose reforms on whether that percentage is too high or too low and whether it lacks the budget line needed to pay rewards,” he said.
The Speaker argued that establishing a properly funded whistleblower reward mechanism would encourage insiders to voluntarily provide information about corruption, reducing the burden on investigators to uncover wrongdoing independently.
“When corrupt deals go bad, insiders would come forward and tell you the whole truth,” he said.
Oboth also clarified the distinction between whistleblowers and witnesses, saying whistleblowers typically provide information that exposes wrongdoing before it becomes public knowledge, while individuals who come forward after a matter has entered the public domain may serve as witnesses.
He encouraged members of the media with credible information about corruption to report it to his office, while cautioning against making unsubstantiated allegations.
Shs41.59 Billion Ordered for Recovery
The Speaker’s proposals come against the backdrop of the Inspectorate of Government’s performance figures, which show that Shs41.59 billion was ordered for recovery between January and June 2026.
However, only Shs5.72 billion was recovered in cash and assets during the period, highlighting the gap between amounts ordered for recovery and funds and assets actually recovered.
Oboth suggested that better incentives for whistleblowers could help bridge this gap by encouraging individuals with direct knowledge of corrupt transactions to provide timely and actionable information.
He also challenged Members of Parliament, particularly committee chairpersons, to uphold integrity and demonstrate financial discipline in their personal lives.
The Speaker urged legislators to live within their means and avoid the pursuit of rapid wealth accumulation, saying public leaders should set an example for the citizens they represent.
“It is better to eat slowly, small small, from your salaries,” he said.
Oboth maintained that legislators who preserve their integrity and remain accountable to the public stand a better chance of earning voters’ confidence.
He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting the Inspectorate of Government in carrying out its mandate to combat corruption and promote accountability in public service.
“Inspectorate, we are here to support you,” he said.
The Inspectorate’s 55th Bi-Annual Performance Report was scheduled for consideration by Parliament on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, according to the statement provided.
