IGG Under Fire for Withholding Whistleblower Rewards

Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has received at least five petitions from individuals alleging that the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has not paid them their due rewards.

Muwadda Nkunyingi, the chairperson of COSASE, highlighted that these whistleblowers, who reportedly risked their safety to provide information leading to the recovery of public funds, have been denied their five percent share as stipulated by the Whistleblowers Act.

Speaking on the matter, Deputy Inspector General of Government Anny Muhairwe acknowledged that the implementation of the whistleblower reward system has been hampered by “gaps in the law.” While the Act clearly outlines a five percent reward for recovered funds, Muhairwe pointed out that the specific mechanisms for executing these payments remain unclear.

Furthermore, Muhairwe emphasized the critical need for a dedicated government budget to facilitate timely compensation for whistleblowers. She explained that the current lack of specific funding makes it challenging for the IGG to process these payments promptly.

These developments raise significant questions about the effectiveness of Uganda’s whistleblower reward framework. Concerns are mounting over whether the government possesses adequate funding and established procedures to ensure that individuals who contribute to the recovery of public assets are appropriately and promptly rewarded for their efforts.

Source: Nile Post