KAMPALA– ActionAid International Uganda working in partnership and partners on Wednesday night recognized the best performers in the country’s civil society sector, for exhibiting the highest level of integrity in serving the public.
At the function which was held at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, Ms Grace Munyagwa, the distinguished Researcher with a focus on Public and Pediatric care , emerged the overall winner of this year’s awards having exhibited exceptional level of integrity in her services.
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Hon. Bob Winyi was the best Male in the Political Category, well as Hon. Betty Aol Ocan (former Leader of Opposition) emerged the Best Female in the Political Awards Category.
Dr. Joseph Epodoi, from Soroti Referral Hospital, popularly known for separating the once conjoined twins, emerged the best female under the frontline category.
Mr. Wabweni Andrew emerged the best in Male Category of the Service Awards, well as Mrs. Esther Mugoya emerged the best under the female category.
“The award, is a sign of recognition of one’s excellence and motivation to those who get it. To all awardees , we extend our collective thank you. You are like a lamp placed at the top of the summit of our hilltops , may you shine brighter for all to emulate.”
“It’s a singular motivation to individuals who get it and others who watch those that get.
More over, the awards helps to spark a whole new generation, to pursue excellence in their diverse occupations.” Remarked retired Justice, James Ogoola during his key note address, at the Awards ceremony.
He also asked those that are still in active service, always to reject any form of bribery that may come their way , as he did in 1998, when he rejected an envelope “Soda” which had been brought to him by an accused in one of cases which was before him.
Xavier Ejoyi, the Country Director of Action Aid International Uganda, emphasized, that these awards are citizen driven since these are the people who play the very crucial role in the fight against corruption.
“Over the last eight years of which this event has been taking place, it has grown in scope , geographical coverage and number of participants involved. Last year alone we had a total of 743 public officers nominated for the awards, this year the number has shot up drastically to 4118 nominees by close of nominations.”
Ejoyi noted that these changes are clear sign that citizens have fully realized their roles and responsibilities as far as demanding for accountability is concerned.
Lilian Nanteza who represented the Executive Director of Transparency
International Uganda noted that corruption has eaten up most of the influential sectors of African countries.
“According to the recent findings of Corruption perception index report, which is the most widely used global ranking in the world (measures how corrupt a country’s public sector is perceived to be). In National Development Plan three (NDP3) there was a target of 35 percent , we thought as a country that as it ends we would have achieved some change.The highest score we achieved as a country was in 2012 with a score of 29 percent . It shows that we still have a long to go in fighting corruption ”
She added that our poor scores are affecting public trust in public institutions and the number of investments.
Marlon Agaba, the Executive Director of Anti Corruption Coalition (ACCU), blamed the lack of Political will in the country as the major factor fueling corruption in Uganda.
