The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus has united in support of the government’s proposal to enact robust amendments aimed at strengthening the legal framework to combat white-collar crime and Corruption.

White-collar crime encompasses nonviolent financial offenses, such as public corruption, healthcare fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, money laundering, insider trading, mail and wire fraud, as well as other unethical financial activities.

Denis Hamson Obua, the Government Chief Whip and Chairperson of the Caucus, revealed that the President had briefed NRM MPs about the government’s plans to introduce these crucial amendments to enhance the Anti-Corruption legal framework, specifically focusing on addressing white-collar crime.

The exact nature of these proposed amendments has not been disclosed yet, but in 2020, the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU) conducted a study assessing the Anti-Corruption Act of 2009 and found it lacking in essential aspects. The study highlighted “inherent weaknesses” in the law, which hindered its effective implementation.

One significant shortcoming identified was the absence of a comprehensive witness protection mechanism. This deficiency made it challenging to prosecute offenses like abuse of office and causing financial loss to the Government. These loopholes allowed corruption to persist with impunity, contrary to the law’s intended objectives.

According to the 2021 Report of the Inspectorate on the Cost of Corruption, Uganda loses approximately Shillings 10 trillion, equivalent to about 23% of the annual national budget, to corruption each year. Transparency International’s global corruption perception index ranks Uganda at 142 out of 180 countries, indicating a substantial corruption challenge.