# Aid robbed in Uganda: what can be done? URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/aid-robbed-in-uganda-what-can-be-done Type: News Published: 2012-11-23 Updated: 2019-11-19 --- ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/Flickr_futureatlasDOTcom_UgandaSign_620.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=620&h=348.75) 23 November 2012 Recent [Ugandan](/country#UGA_PublicOpinion) headlines of corruption are ubiquitous: leading donor agencies such as the British government’s [Department for International Development](http://www.dfid.gov.uk/) (DFID) and the Irish government are suspending aid to Uganda following highly publicised corruption scandals. In August external auditors from the Office of the Auditor General revealed that approximately [€12 million](http://thestory.ie/2012/11/13/that-ugandan-report-on-misappropriation-of-irish-aid/) in aid from Scandinavian countries and Ireland were allegedly [funnelled to the private bank accounts](http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2012/oct/31/uk-aid-ugandan-prime-minister-fraud) of officials from the Ugandan Prime Minister’s office. As the fraud investigation wore on, Ireland, Denmark and Norway suspended aid to Uganda. The Ugandan government has pledged to return the money. In light of the scandal, DFID has indefinitely [suspended](http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2012/nov/16/uk-suspends-aid-uganda-misusehttp:/www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2012/nov/16/uk-suspends-aid-uganda-misuse) the remaining £11.1 million (US$17.6 million) allocated this year to further Ugandan development. ### The poor lose the most The decision to pull funding is not surprising, but the impact on the poor can be devastating. As the Ugandan government re-evaluates its budget following the halt in aid, programmes and services tailored to benefit the public – especially the poor – will suffer cuts that undermine development. “We strongly believe there [are] enough [resources] for the needs of every Ugandan but not enough for the greed of public servants entrusted to manage resources responsibly for the good of all Ugandans. This unacceptably shameful, draconian, uncivil form of conduct must be stopped in the greater interest of ensuring meaningful development for all Ugandans.” –[Peter Wandera](http://www.tiuganda.org/index.php/media-center/news/45-enough-is-enough), Executive Director of Transparency International Uganda Uganda suffers from a strong culture of impunity. The Ugandan government may have [committed](http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/1105/uganda-irish-aid.html) to repaying Ireland the €4 million lost, but there is no political accountability. Drastic steps are therefore needed to ensure that corruption does not trump aid and development. ### What can be done Internal monitoring mechanisms are in place, as demonstrated by the Office of the Auditor General’s report on the fraud allegations. But enforcement of the law is weak. To prevent corruption in development and improve accountability, the following is [recommended](http://www.tiuganda.org/index.php/about-us/who-we-work-with/11-media/44-corruption-in-government) by [Transparency International Uganda](http://tiuganda.org/): - Individuals in charge of respective departments and ministries should take full political and administrative responsibility. - Ugandan anti-corruption legislation and its effectiveness need to be re-evaluated. - Corruption investigations should be expedited by the police. The judiciary should address these matters with urgency before the case reaches the statute of limitations. - The Office of the Prime Minister’s role in handling funds should be assessed. If some funds had been decentralised to other ministries, the amount allegedly swindled could have been far less. - The donor community should put more stringent clauses in future funding agreements to deter graft. Including more direct funding to civil society for service delivery and monitoring should be explored. - Individuals found guilty of corruption should be held to account. ## Countries - [Czech Republic](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/czech-republic) - [Denmark](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/denmark) - [Ireland](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/ireland) - [Kyrgyzstan](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/kyrgyzstan) - [Norway](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/norway) - [Saint Kitts and Nevis](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/saint-kitts-and-nevis) - [Saint Vincent and the Grenadines](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines) - [Slovakia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/slovakia) - [Spain](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/spain) - [Uganda](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/uganda) - [United Kingdom](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/united-kingdom) For any press inquiries please contact ### You might also like... ## [CPI 2024 for Eastern Europe & Central Asia: Vicious cycle of weak democracy and flourishing corruption](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2024-eastern-europe-central-asia--vicious-cycle-weak-democracy-flourishing-corruption) News • 11 February 2025 Weak democratic institutions and rule of law are exacerbated by ongoing instability and external pressures. ## [Dirty money’s hiding spots: How corruption funds disappear overseas](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/dirty-money-hiding-spots-how-corruption-funds-disappear-overseas-billions-africa-assets) News • 16 December 2024 Our findings reveal the destinations, methods and assets most commonly used by corrupt actors to launder stolen money. ## [G20 & corporate transparency: Put your money where your principles are](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/g20-beneficial-ownership-transparency-high-level-principles-ten-years-on) News • 07 November 2024 Ten years weren’t yet enough for G20 to establish adequate beneficial ownership registers. ## [Land and corruption - a global concern](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/land-and-corruption-a-global-concern) News • 15 November 2011 In November 2011 the world’s population passed the 7 billion mark, a milestone greeted with understandable trepidation. 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