Obstacles to asset registration and its effect on corruption in Uganda.
The biggest obstacle to asset registration in Uganda is not the high cost involved or privacy concerns but the fact that the policy makers and their backers are the biggest beneficiaries of the status quo.
Yes asset registration requires substantial investment that could exceed half a trillion shillings on data centers, personnel, and software but it is not the reason why Uganda will not implement a meaningful asset registration requirement. The reason is that those responsible for putting in place the legal and administrative framework for asset registration are the very people that are laundering their stolen riches, politely called illicitly acquired wealth. It is not illicitly acquired wealth, it is stolen riches. Can we please drop the politeness and call them what they are, thieves.
Starting with the ministry of finance to the ministry of lands to the cabinet that approves most legislation, there are powerful thieves hiding their assets behind nominees and in unregistered interests. A meaningful registration requirement that mandates proof of legitimate acquisition of assets can not be implemented because it would hurt people in high places the most. The rest of us really have very little in the first place, a mandate to prove legitimate acquisition is unlikely to affect us as much.
So as we agitate for asset registration, we should be aware that we shall be frustrated for a very long time. It is only when the public stops tolerating corruption that we shall eventually get some sort of asset registration requirement. It might not be the comprehensive system we require but even a flawed system is better than nothing. Maybe when that day finally arrives, we shall start agitating for improvements in whatever flawed system shall be in place. The fight goes on.
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