Uganda conference tackles corruption in Africa

Africa's leading corruption-fighters will meet in Uganda next week to discuss and share intelligence on how they are tackling the issue across the continent.

The ninth Africa Regional Meeting for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) will be hosted by Uganda’s   Inspectorate of Government and convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat in Kampala between 6 and 10 May.

The meeting, under the theme ‘Time to act: Prevent Corruption for Sustainable Development’, is part of the Commonwealth’s efforts to institutionalise the fight against corruption with the aim of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

Following the opening of the conference by Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, heads of anti-corruption agencies will discuss the progress they are making - including best-fit solutions and action plans to tackle corruption and promote good governance in Africa. 

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland is optimistic Africa is turning the tide against corruption. 

She said: “At the eighth Anti-Corruption Conference which was held last year in Abuja, Nigeria, we heard about the work of agencies in recovering stolen assets amounting to billions of US dollars.

“I look forward with anticipation to reports at this conference of further progress being achieved.   Tackling corruption results in poverty being reduced, and increased economic stability and growth with higher standards of living for all."

Dr. Roger Koranteng, Adviser and Head of Public Sector Governance stated that “the key aim of the Kampala meeting is to enhance south-south learning and the sharing of country, regional and international experiences from experts and heads of anti-corruption agencies in the Commonwealth Africa”.

He said “there is no gainsaying that an effective approach to make institutions effective is to establish community of practice, build professional networks and create such opportunities for countries to exchange best fit solutions”.

The Secretary-General will also launch a book at the conference, “Tackling corruption in Commonwealth Africa: The case studies of Botswana, Mauritius, Seychelles, Lesotho and Rwanda”.

According to the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, four of the top five countries in Sub Saharan Africa with the lowest perceived levels of corruption are Commonwealth member countries, with Botswana the highest performing.

Botswana was first to host the ACAs and is home to the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre, which was established in 2013 as a joint project by the Government of Botswana, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa.

Conference Communique