Uganda on Wednesday commemorated the African Anti-Corruption Day (AACD) 2026 with renewed calls for heightened vigilance, accountability and integrity in public service as leaders urged public officials to strengthen systems that prevent corruption and improve service delivery.

The commemoration was held under the theme, "No Sleep; No Corruption: A Call for Heightened Vigilance, Diligence, and Commitment to Public Service."

Speaking during the event, Inspector General of Government (IGG) Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala challenged public officers to reflect on the quality of services they provide to citizens.

"When a citizen walks into a government office tomorrow morning, what experience will they have? Will they find a public service that listens, responds and delivers? Or will they encounter delays, indifference and systems that make the government seem distant from their daily struggles?" she asked.

She said the questions were intended to encourage public officials to assess their role in strengthening service delivery and building a transparent, accountable and efficient public service.

Lady Justice Naluzze described the 2026 theme as more than a slogan, saying it serves as a reminder that corruption flourishes where oversight is weak, accountability is ignored and leaders become complacent.

She urged Accounting Officers and institutional leaders to remain vigilant by strengthening internal controls, verifying project implementation, following up on audit recommendations and ensuring that public resources deliver value to citizens.

"It means asking difficult questions when figures do not add up, visiting projects to verify progress, strengthening internal controls, following up audit recommendations and ensuring that every public shilling delivers value to citizens," she said.

The IGG reaffirmed the institution's commitment to its constitutional mandate of promoting good governance, enforcing accountability and combating corruption. She added that the institution's success should not only be measured by investigations and prosecutions but also by the number of institutions that strengthen systems, prevent corruption and consistently deliver quality public services.

The commemoration, held both physically and virtually, brought together Chief Administrative Officers, City and Town Clerks, members of anti-corruption agencies and Civil Society Organisations.

In his keynote address, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, called on Accounting Officers to strictly adhere to legal and regulatory frameworks in carrying out their responsibilities.

He said Accounting Officers in local governments are at the forefront of service delivery and warned that those who act contrary to the law will be held accountable.

Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity Rose Lilly Akello called for a whole-of-government approach to fighting corruption, urging collaboration with religious leaders, civil society organisations, education institutions and cultural institutions.

She also appealed to Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) and LCV chairpersons to strengthen supervision of government programmes in their respective districts and ensure District Integrity Promotion Forums remain operational.

Deputy Inspector General of Government Anne Twino said Chief Administrative Officers, City Clerks and Town Clerks are the face of government in the communities they serve and play a critical role in building public trust.

"When you act with integrity, citizens believe in the state. When you falter, their trust crumbles. Yours is not merely a job; it is a sacred trust," she said.

The event was also attended by Deputy IGG Dr. Patricia Okiria, together with directors and staff of the Inspectorate of Government, underscoring the institution's continued commitment to promoting integrity and eliminating corruption in Uganda.