Deputy Inspector General Dr. Patricia Achan-Okiria has urged Uganda’s youth to take a frontline role in the national fight against corruption, emphasizing their unique potential to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership through technology and civic engagement.
Presenting a paper titled “Empowering Youth to Fight Corruption Through Transparency and Accountability,” Dr. Achan-Okiria warned that corruption continues to undermine good governance, social justice, and sustainable development by diverting public resources and eroding trust in institutions. She called on young people to become “beacons of honesty,” speaking out against wrongdoing and driving the change the country urgently needs.
Highlighting that youth constitute the majority of Uganda’s population, she stressed their advantage as digital natives, capable of leveraging technology, online platforms, and social media to expose injustices, monitor public service delivery, and mobilize civic participation. She outlined key strategies to empower them as anti-corruption champions, including integrating integrity education into academic curricula, increasing youth participation in governance, and cultivating a culture of transparency within communities.
Dr. Achan-Okiria underscored the impact of youth engagement in budgeting processes, open government forums, and local councils, noting that such involvement strengthens trust between citizens and leaders. She also emphasized the role of digital tools—online reporting portals, social media campaigns, and digital petitions—in amplifying citizens’ voices and exposing corrupt practices.
She called for stronger partnerships among government agencies, civil society, and the private sector to support youth-led initiatives through mentorship, funding, and capacity-building. Concluding her address, she described the anti-corruption struggle as a generational responsibility: “Empowering youth is an investment in the nation’s future—because a society led by young people who uphold integrity is one better positioned for justice, equity, and prosperity.”
