AUTHOR: ANGUALIA DANIEL

CIVIL SOCIETY AND CORRUPTION IN EAST AFRICA

Corruption is a big problem in Africa. International reports by World Bank and National reports by member states have revealed that colossal sum of money is lost to corruption. This has impeded the achievement of the Millennium development goals and other national development objectives of the respective states.

Civil society organizations of national, regional and international character as well as organizations such as International Monetary Fund, African Union, Africa Development Bank and World Bank have raised concern over increased corruption in the region.

This is despite the legal and institutional frameworks put in place by the African states as a move against corruption in Africa.

The reasons for the increased corruption in Africa can be linked to political, social, economic and legal factors.

This paper gives a case study of East Africa. It will analyze the state of corruption in East Africa and the role played by civil society in the fight against corruption. East Africa comprises of Uganda Kenya and Tanzania.

The paper reveals that 70% of corruption case reported in the region is found in the public sector. It will argue that, this is because the public sector is the biggest employer with the majority of under paid employees who have to supplement their income by engaging in corruption. It will also show that multinational corporations in the private sector have also contributed to corruption due to cutthroat competition in the liberalized economy.

An examination will be given to the legal and institutional framework put in place to fight against corruption. It will argue that the frame work put in place would have played a greater role in the fight against corruption had it not been for the frustration of their efforts by those who hold power in the respective states.

The paper gives an over view of the operation of civil society in the region; Civil society includes; The mass media, Non Governmental Organizations, political parties and the citizenry as a whole.

The paper will analyze the role played by the civil society organizations in the fight against corruption in East Africa. It will illustrate that civil society has played a great role in the fight against corruption; it will further show that despite the efforts of civil society, corruption is still prevalent.

An analysis is made into the constraints to the activism of civil society in the fight against corruption. Due consideration is to be given to the political, social, economic and legal constraints. The paper will ague that the East African states through their repressive laws and the interest of its leaders to protect and pursue their selfish political interest have largely frustrated the efforts of civil society in the fight against corruption.

The paper is to conclude by proposing/ suggesting/ recommending new ways through which the Governments can work along side the civil society with the view of effectively fighting corruption in the region and Africa as a whole.

Angualia Daniel from Uganda, A lawyer- holds a bachelors degree in law of Makerere University and a Diploma in legal practice, has attended and participated in various workshops organized by civil society organizations in East Africa geared towards fighting corruption in the region. He is also a member of various Anti-Corruption Organizations in the region.

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About Author

ANGUALIA DANIEL -
About the Author:

HOLDS BACHELORS DEGREE IN LAW OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY AND DIPLOMA IN LEGAL PRACTICE OF LAW DEVELOPMENT CENTRE KAMPALA.

CONTACTS; 256774477656, dangualia@yahoo.com

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