IGG Advocates for Kiswahili, Nyerere's Values to Combat Corruption

The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) in Uganda has proposed that integrating the Kiswahili language into public institutions could be a strategic move to strengthen ethical leadership and combat the pervasive problem of corruption.

According to Deputy IGG Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, the widespread use of Kiswahili across East Africa can foster a sense of shared integrity, accountability, and unity within the public service. Speaking at the unveiling of the ‘Twende Zetu Butiama Pilgrimage Safari,’ Dr. Okiria highlighted that Uganda’s struggle with corruption is significantly linked to a decline in moral and ethical standards.

Dr. Okiria emphasized that overcoming corruption requires not only institutional reforms but also a fundamental cultural shift centered on public ethics. “To achieve meaningful development, we must be decisively able to confront corruption. In Uganda, corruption is happening because of the degeneration of values of integrity and accountability,” she stated.

The Deputy IGG also called on leaders to embrace the governance principles exemplified by Tanzania’s founding president, Julius Nyerere, such as honesty, humility, and servant leadership. This call comes as Uganda grapples with substantial annual losses estimated at Shs10 trillion due to bribery, embezzlement, procurement fraud, and abuse of office.

Supporting the initiative, Dr. Ronex Kisembo Tendo, Secretary General of the African Academy of Languages Kiswahili Commission, pointed out Uganda’s economic reliance on trade with neighbouring countries like Kenya and Tanzania, questioning the continued preference for English over the regionally dominant Kiswahili. Uganda has been chosen to host the headquarters of the African Union Kiswahili Commission, an initiative aimed at promoting linguistic unity across the continent.

Despite past policy discussions, efforts to establish Kiswahili as a national language in Uganda have faced delays. The upcoming ‘Twende Zetu Butiama Pilgrimage’ in October aims to promote regional ties, with visits planned to historical sites in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, including Nyerere’s ancestral home.