2024 National Citizen’s Integrity Awards set for December
Feni addresses journalists as Minala (L) and Onzia (R) looked on
ARUA. This year’s national citizen’s integrity awards ceremony is scheduled to climax during the anti-corruption week in December, officials have announced.
The citizen’s integrity awards represent a citizen-led recognition process honoring individuals who consistently demonstrate integrity in their duties.
The initiative was launched by ActionAid International Uganda in 2016 with the aim of promoting integrity in public service delivery to combat corruption.
ActionAid International Uganda together with West Nile regional civil society network (WECISNET) and other like-minded civil society organizations will organize this year’s event.
While addressing journalists in Arua city on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, Twaib Feni, the Chief Executive Officer of WECISNET, said the event serves as a platform for citizens to challenge corruption and demand accountability by rewarding integrity.
“By celebrating and showcasing such exemplary conduct, the awards aim to inspire others to uphold ethical standards, foster a culture of transparency, and ultimately combat corruption in all forms,” Feni said.
He noted that this time round, ActionAid International Uganda plans to expand the initiative to include the private sector, recognizing that corruption syndicates often involve both public and private entities.
“This year’s awards will introduce the ‘2024 Business of Integrity’ category, aiming to encourage the private sector to reject corrupt practices. In addition to partnering with traditional CSOs who will lead community mobilization at local level using mainstream media,” Feni remarked.
Feni explained that the proposed award categories for the event include; the frontline service award which targets public servants who directly interact with citizens at the point of service delivery, the management service award which targets public servants at management level and political leaders’ awards, targeting all politicians such as Ministers, MPs at national level and LCV, LCIII, Councilors at local level.
Rehema Minala, the FIDA Uganda Legal Officer – Arua, observed that the selection committee will rate the nominees on a scale of 1-5 based on their specific act of integrity, consistency and sustainability, and influence on society.
She said nominees shall be drawn from Ugandan citizens who are currently or who have in the recent past held a position in public office whether paid or voluntary in public service at local or central government level.
Minala, however, said to safeguard the integrity of the award from potential conflict of interest and undue influence, staff, Board of Directors and associates of partner institutions organizing the national integrity awards are excluded from participating in the process.
She further said other excluded members include; self-nominated individuals, members of the awards vetting committee and their associates, individuals whose work promotes specific religious, political or sectarian interests and individuals with questionable integrity.
Topista Onzia, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Peace and Development (CEPAD) West Nile, assured the public that the partnering organizations have done everything to put in place a transparent and objective process of selecting the awardees of this year’s national integrity awards.
Very organized motivation to improve on the integrity of the public officer and servants
That can slightly change bad financial behaviors that bring down services delivery as many public servants have turned corruption as bed of roses hence overwhelming health systems, food security, road networks n education systems