news 17 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda government moves to recover assets from corrupt officials
The Ugandan government is finalizing new rules to streamline the confiscation and recovery of assets obtained through corruption. These rules aim to close a significant legal gap that has hampered efforts to reclaim illicitly gained wealth. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-drafts-rules-to-recover-assets-from-corrupt-officials-5499618
The Ugandan government is actively developing new regulations designed to bolster the recovery of assets from individuals convicted of corruption. Named the Anti-Corruption Confiscation and Recovery Rules, these regulations will establish a clear framework for confiscating property linked to corrupt practices.
This initiative seeks to address a critical legal void that has impeded the effective implementation of the existing Anti-Corruption Act. The Act itself mandates the confiscation of assets from those found guilty of corruption, but the absence of procedural rules has created significant challenges.
According to Joel Wanjala, Under Secretary in the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, past procedures lacked clarity in assessing the value of confiscated assets, managing income generated from them, and overseeing their eventual disposal. This has led to issues with accountability and transparency.
A joint legal task force, comprising various anti-corruption agencies, the Attorney General’s Chambers, and the Uganda Law Reform Commission, has been instrumental in drafting these new rules. Their work, initiated following authorization from the Chief Justice in May 2024, will soon be submitted for further review.
Inspector General of Government Aisha Naluzze Batala highlighted the “critical legal gap” caused by the prolonged absence of these procedural rules. She explained that without a coherent framework, courts, prosecutors, and administrators have lacked essential guidance for managing confiscation proceedings and distributing proceeds effectively.
Once finalized, the rules are expected to significantly strengthen Uganda’s anti-corruption efforts by providing a much-needed procedural roadmap for asset recovery. The Inter-Agency Forum, which champions this effort, is a key coordination platform for all 20 anti-corruption agencies aimed at harmonizing strategies and improving national service delivery.