How to Prevent Corruption

CURBING CORRUPTION AND PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS The Experience of Bushenyi District, Uganda

A Paper Presented as Part of the World Bank’ s Open and Participatory Government Programme at the Local Level World Bank Institute, Washington DC.

Johnson Bitarabeho Chief Administrative Officer Bushenyi District, Uganda

21 May 2003

CURBING CORRUPTION AND PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: EXPERIENCEOF BUSHENYI DISTRICT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The objectives of the case study are: To give the experience of a District Local Government in combating corruption and promoting transparency. To put on record the good practices of curbing corruption in Local Governments for replication in other areas. This study gives a diagnosis of corruption in Uganda, the underlying causes and its effects. Furthermore, it highlights the actions taken to combat corruption at the District Local government level, the impacts of those initiatives, the challenges faced in fighting corruption and the way forward. The main lesson learnt is that corruption is a cancer that eats the social, political and economic fabric of development and requires the involvement of every citizen to combat it. The case study recommends enhanced public awareness and strengthening of institutions for fighting corruption.

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Curbing Corruption and Promoting Transparency in Local Governments: The Experience of Bushenyi District, Uganda ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Background

Uganda adopted a system of democratic decentralisation to improve systems of governance and foster economic growth especially in rural areas, both of which are essential to eradicate poverty. Devolution is the model of decentralisation that was adopted by the Government of Uganda. Through the policy of democratic decentralisation significant powers, functions, responsibilities and resources were devolved from the centre to Local Governments....