Rethinking Anti-Corruption Strategies in Uganda: An Ethical Reflection

Abstract

Corruption continues to be one of the key challenges to the governance and development of
many African countries. In Uganda, despite the existence of various anti-corruption strategies,
several scandals can be cited in recent times involving the loss of colossal sums of money in
embezzlement, bribery, influence peddling and other underhand manoeuvres. Several explanations
for its persistence have been propounded in existing literature, helping us to understand the
multifaceted phenomenon at various levels. However, many still fail to get to the core – especially
due to largely focusing on secondary factors without delving into analysis of the dynamics of moral
development that inform the shaping of human character and that, therefore, should be the focus
of anti-corruption strategies. The above observations raise questions such as: What do the rampant
corruption scandals reflect about the wider value systems and moral set-up in Ugandan society?
Are State institutions mandated to fight corruption founded on appropriate theoretical perspectives
and principles to guide their operations? In answering these questions, the main purpose of this
paper is to present an ethical critique of the anti-corruption strategies used in Uganda and to
suggest an alternative approach mainly grounded on a virtue-ethics-theoretical stance.