Although Kampala is the capital city of Uganda, The Inspectorate of Government has named Kampala the most corrupt district in Uganda, with 253 recorded cases between July and December 2024 according IGG, Beti Kamya.
Of the 134 districts reviewed, Wakiso followed with 56 cases, Mbale with 44, Masaka with 34, and Mukono with 32. Buhweju, Bukedea, Kalaki, Karenga, Luuka, and Nabilatuk registered the lowest corruption levels, with just one case each.
The report highlighted 1,347 corruption complaints received, with 1,193 sanctioned for investigation and 1,267 cases concluded. Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale have consistently ranked among the most corrupt districts. In the previous January-June 2024 report, Kampala led with 224 cases, followed by Mbale (73), Wakiso (56), and Mukono (43).
The persistent high numbers indicate stalled anti-corruption efforts in these districts, with Kampala showing a year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, districts like Masaka, previously absent from the list, now rank among the top five. Jinja, Hoima, and Lira—previously outside the top 10—have also entered the list. Conversely, Mbarara, Rakai, and Kabarole have improved, no longer ranking among the worst offenders.
IGG Spokesperson Munira Ali attributed Kampala’s high corruption levels to its size and concentration of government offices.
“Kampala has multiple divisions and a large budget. Most government offices are located here, leading to more reported cases,” Ali explained.
The report also detailed 18 high-profile cases across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), recommending the recovery of Shs6.9 billion. Cases involved abuse of office, embezzlement, and financial mismanagement in institutions like the Ministry of Tourism, Uganda Revenue Authority, and Kampala Capital City Authority.
Overall, the IGG concluded 360 corruption cases in MDAs and local governments, recommending Shs8 billion in recoveries, issuing 600 administrative sanctions, and referring 16 officials for prosecution. So far, Shs4.2 billion has been recovered.
Corruption in Uganda
Corruption in Uganda is a significant issue, impacting various sectors and hindering development. According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) , Uganda ranked 140th out of 180 countries in 2024, indicating a high level of perceived corruption. The Inspectorate of Uganda is estimated to lose up to UGX 10 trillion annually due to corruption. This is approximately 44% of the country’s domestic revenue and equivalent to 44% of the total government revenue in 2019. Specifically, the environmental protection sector is estimated to experience the highest cost of corruption, at around UGX 2.8 trillion per year Government estimates that corruption costs the Ugandan government billions annually.