A senior veteran journalist has penned an open letter to Uganda's President, calling for his intervention in addressing alleged corruption within the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotion Agency (UFZEPA). The journalist commended the President for declaring war on corruption, a major cause of underdevelopment in Uganda. He emphasized that all Ugandans must join the fight against corruption. The letter highlights concerns over the agency's operations and alleged malpractices.
UFZEPA was established under the Free Zones (Amendment) Act of 2024 to promote and facilitate export-oriented investments in Uganda. The agency's mandate is to transform Uganda into a regional manufacturing and export hub by creating conducive business environments and offering attractive investment incentives. It oversees licensed and operational free zones, including a major public free zone near Entebbe International Airport. The agency also provides incentives such as reduced taxes and export opportunities in markets like COMESA and the AfCFTA.
However, the journalist alleged that corruption is crippling UFZEPA's performance, with areas of concern including fuel management practices, office imprest management, and the loss of an undisclosed amount of money from UFZEPA offices. The journalist cited the inadequacy of internal control systems, including the absence of a Fleet Management Policy and a Finance and Accounting Manual. These gaps expose the entity to operational malfunctions and questionable activities.
One of the causes of alleged corruption within UFZEPA is the lack of a Fleet/Fuel Management Policy, specifically covering pool vehicles and staff fuel cards. Staff members reportedly receive quarterly fuel allocations loaded onto their cards, whether they own vehicles or not. This fuel may be used as a form of transport allowance, raising concerns over accountability and misuse of resources.
The journalist urged the President to direct an investigation into UFZEPA, citing the need to address alleged questionable activities within the agency. The letter emphasized that the entity spends a lot of taxpayers' money and therefore requires effective internal controls to prevent operational malfunctions. The journalist promised to provide more details on the alleged corruption in a subsequent piece.
The open letter was published by The Ankole Times, a Ugandan news outlet. The journalist's concerns over alleged corruption in UFZEPA have been raised at a time when the government is emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in public institutions. The President's office has not yet commented on the allegations or the journalist's call for an investigation.
The case highlights the challenges faced by public institutions in Uganda in ensuring accountability and preventing corruption. It also underscores the role of the media and concerned citizens in promoting transparency and good governance. The outcome of the alleged investigation and any potential actions taken by the President's office will be closely watched by stakeholders and the public.
Key points
- The journalist called for an investigation into alleged corruption within UFZEPA, citing concerns over fuel management practices, office imprest management, and loss of funds.
