Press Statement


Theme: “Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption”

The African Union (AU) adopted the Africa Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) in Maputo, Mozambique on 11th July 2003. The Convention came into force on 5th August 2006 and has been ratified by 48 Member States of the African Union. Uganda signed and ratified the Convention in 2007.

The African Union designated 11th July of every year as the African Anti-Corruption Day to reflect on the efforts put in place by Member States to deal with the scourge of corruption.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is: “Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight against Corruption.” Human dignity is the respect and fulfillment of the rights/freedoms of human beings, and it is at the heart of human rights. The theme calls on all actors, governments, civil society, the private sector, and citizens to recognize human dignity in all anti-corruption initiatives and to protect the most vulnerable from the devastating consequences of corruption.

The African Anti-Corruption theme comes at a time when the African Union is pursuing justice for Africans and People of African Descent through reparations. The impact of corruption on human dignity, evidenced by its role in undermining essential services, justice systems, and trust across Africa, relates to the historical and ongoing denial of justice to Africans and people of African descent through slavery, colonialism, and systemic discrimination.

Hence, achieving human dignity for Africans, whether through combating contemporary corruption or redressing historical injustices, necessitates a steadfast commitment to justice, equity, and accountability.

Objectives for the Celebration of African Anti-Corruption Day 2025:

I. Reinforce the centrality of human dignity in anti-corruption strategies across the continent by promoting people-centered approaches in the prevention, investigations, and prosecution of corruption.

II. Raise awareness among citizens, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups, about their rights and the importance of demanding transparency, accountability, and dignity in public service delivery.

III. Encourage Member States to align their national anti-corruption frameworks with the provisions of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and other relevant human rights instruments.

IV. Celebrate progress and share best practices in integrating human dignity in anti-corruption efforts through legal reforms, citizen engagement, institutional integrity, and social accountability mechanisms.

V. Provide a platform for engagement and solidarity among governments, civil society, anti-corruption agencies, development partners, faith-based organizations, academia, media, and the private sector in advancing dignity-based anti-corruption initiatives.

VI. Encourage the protection of whistleblowers and victims of corruption and promote legal and psychosocial support mechanisms that uphold their dignity and safety.

VII. Recognize the importance of Anti-Corruption Measures in promoting Human Dignity and Justice for Africans and People of African Descent.

Expected Outcomes:

A shared understanding and recommendations among stakeholders on the importance of integrating human dignity into anti-corruption efforts and strategies.

A roadmap for promoting human dignity in the fight against corruption.

Strengthened collaboration and coordination among stakeholders.

Key Statistics:

The African Union estimates that $140 billion is lost through corruption annually, equivalent to the GDP of all but 43 out of 48 countries in Africa.

According to the 2024 Transparency International research, sub-Saharan Africa registered the lowest average score on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), at just 33 out of 100, with most countries scoring below 50%.

Top performers in the region include Seychelles (72%), Cabo Verde (62%), Botswana (57%), and Rwanda (57%). Uganda scored 26%, indicating significant room for improvement.

Uganda’s Efforts:

The Inspectorate of Government (IG) initiated a study revealing that Uganda loses close to 10 trillion UGX annually to corruption.

Key achievements of the IG include:

Investigation of 2,218 corruption cases in 2024.

Administrative actions against 1,204 public officials.

Recovery of UGX 6.8 billion in cash and assets.

Conviction rates of 40.6% at the Anti-Corruption Court and 94.7% at the Leadership Code Tribunal.

The IG has established 16 regional offices and collaborates with international bodies to combat corruption.

Way Forward:

Mobilize citizens to actively participate in the fight against corruption through awareness campaigns, education, and community engagement.

Focus on recovering proceeds of corruption, including investigating unexplained wealth among public servants.

Encourage citizens to hold leaders accountable and report corruption fearlessly.

Call to Action:
“LET’S ALL SAY NO TO CORRUPTION! FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.”