The Inspectorate of Government (IG) is taking part in a regional meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focused on illicit financial flows, asset recovery, corruption and the right to development.

The two-day meeting is being held from August 25 to 26, 2026, and brings together governments, anti-corruption bodies and other stakeholders to discuss ways of tracing and recovering money and other assets linked to illicit activities.

Uganda is represented by Jemba James, a Principal Inspectorate Officer, at the meeting organised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The discussions are aimed at helping countries improve efforts to recover funds of illicit origin and ensure that returned assets are used to advance economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the right to development.

The meeting is taking place in line with United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 58/7, adopted on April 4, 2025.

Africa loses billions through illicit financial flows

The regional discussions come amid concerns over the large amounts of money leaving Africa through illicit financial flows.

Estimates cited at the meeting put Africa's illicit financial outflows at about US$88.6 billion every year. Such losses reduce the resources available to governments to finance public programmes and address citizens' economic and social needs.

Participants stressed the importance of identifying, tracing, recovering and returning assets linked to corruption to the countries where the resources originated.

Under Chapter V of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), asset recovery and return are important components of international efforts to combat corruption. Proper management of recovered resources can allow countries to direct them towards development priorities.

Countries urged to strengthen cooperation

Discussions in Addis Ababa have also focused on the need for stronger regional cooperation to tackle illicit financial flows and promote the right to development.

Participants called for measures to close loopholes that enable illicit financial movements, alongside increased transparency and meaningful engagement with civil society organisations at both local and international levels.

There were also calls to strengthen mutual legal assistance (MLA) arrangements, which are essential in supporting cross-border investigations, prosecutions, asset tracing and recovery.

The meeting highlighted the need for anti-corruption and justice institutions to develop practical and efficient responses to the challenges posed by illicit financial flows.

Participants further emphasised that African countries need to work together, particularly in investigation, prosecution and asset recovery, while establishing clear cooperation mechanisms with regional and international institutions.

Asset recovery linked to development

The meeting also recognised the return of recovered assets as an important step towards improving economic and social development.

Participants noted that effective asset recovery requires a coordinated process covering the detection, tracing, recovery, return and management of illicit assets.

For Uganda's Inspectorate of Government, participation in the regional meeting provides an opportunity to share experiences and strengthen cooperation with other institutions involved in the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows.

The IG's involvement also reflects its commitment to regional and international collaboration aimed at preventing the concealment of proceeds of corruption and ensuring that recovered public resources ultimately support national development and citizens' welfare.