The Deputy Inspector General of Government( IGG), Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, has cautioned newly appointed Cabinet ministers against interfering in the day-to-day operations of government institutions, warning that such actions can create opportunities for corruption and weaken accountability systems.
Speaking during the ongoing Cabinet induction retreat at National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi, Mrs. Twinomugisha urged ministers to strengthen their oversight role while respecting the legal and administrative boundaries that govern public institutions.
Her presentation, titled “The Mandate of the Inspectorate of Government and the Role of the Executive in the Fight Against Corruption,” focused on how political leaders can support transparency and accountability without compromising established systems.
The Deputy IGG emphasized what she described as the “Eyes-on, Hands-off” principle, under which ministers are expected to monitor government programmes and demand accountability without taking over responsibilities legally assigned to accounting officers and technical officials.
“Recruitment processes, procurement award decisions, and other day-to-day administrative functions are assigned by law to accounting officers. Where a minister identifies wrongdoing, the appropriate action is to refer the matter to the competent authority rather than assume functions assigned to others,” she said.
According to Mrs. Twinomugisha, corruption often thrives when institutional controls and accountability mechanisms are weakened. She warned that political interference in operational matters could erode years of progress in strengthening governance structures and create loopholes that corrupt officials can exploit.
She stressed that effective oversight and respect for institutional processes are not competing functions but complementary pillars of good governance.
“Strong oversight and respect for institutional processes must go hand in hand. A minister who remains independent retains the moral authority necessary to supervise others and demand accountability,” she noted.
The Deputy IGG further challenged ministers to exercise proactive leadership by conducting regular field visits to assess the implementation of government programmes and ensure that citizens are benefiting from public investments.
“Political leadership becomes more meaningful when it translates into visible improvements in the lives of people. Ministers must ask questions. They must challenge poor performance. They must insist on results,” she said.
Mrs. Twinomugisha reminded the ministers that Ugandans judge government performance based on tangible outcomes rather than promises, calling for stronger monitoring and evaluation mechanisms across public service delivery programmes.
She described effective oversight as a spotlight that exposes gaps and weaknesses in programme implementation, helping to hold public officials accountable and encouraging them to become active champions in the fight against corruption.
In her closing remarks, the Deputy IGG urged the ministers to place national interests above personal ambitions and embrace public office as a responsibility rather than a privilege.
The Cabinet retreat at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi is focused on strengthening governance, accountability, and public service delivery as the new ministers prepare to assume their responsibilities in government.
Mrs. Twinomugisha was accompanied by Director Projects Annet Twine, Director Education, Research and Advocacy Joseph Gwaira, and Director Ombudsman Affairs Nsubuga Kakooza.
