President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially administered the oath of office to Mr. Edward Akol as the new Auditor General in a ceremony held at State House Entebbe earlier this week. This significant event was overseen by Ms. Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, the Head of Public Service & Secretary to Cabinet.
Following the swearing-in, President Museveni extended his congratulations to Mr. Akol and underscored the importance of his role in combating corruption in Uganda. Using a local proverb, President Museveni emphasized, “Orurikwenda kwita embwa rugigaraenyindo,” suggesting that just as a dog must retain its sense of smell to survive, Mr. Akol must keenly detect and address corruption issues in the country.
Addressing the new Auditor General directly, President Museveni expressed concerns about corrupt practices among auditors and urged Mr. Akol not to rely solely on written reports but also engage the public to gather information on corruption. He advised, “Don’t just depend on the written reports, send people to the field to find out, how are my people doing because the public knows, rely on the written records but also on the field checks.”
Mr. Edward Akol’s appointment as Auditor General came after President Museveni’s nomination was approved by parliament on July 4, 2024. He succeeds John F.S. Muwanga, who held the position for over two decades. Mr. Akol’s career in the Office of the Auditor General dates back to August 1994 when he started as an auditor. Over the years, he progressed to senior auditor in July 1999, senior principal auditor in 2004, and eventually deputy auditor general.
Among those present at the ceremony were Hon. Matia Kasaija, the Finance Minister, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Adolf Mwesige, the Clerk to Parliament, and members of Mr. Akol’s family.
This event marks a pivotal moment in Uganda’s governance landscape, with Mr. Akol poised to lead efforts in ensuring transparency and accountability within the public sector, guided by President Museveni’s vision for a corruption-free Uganda.
