Corruption, lack of political will and the role of donors (in Uganda)

Political leadership and commitment to fight corruption at the highest levels is one of the most important preconditions for success in the fight against corruption. In the case of Uganda, it is recognised that while there has been a tangible progress in establishing the legal and institutional framework to tackle corruption, there is a continued absence of a clear demonstration of political will to fight corruption. In some respects, there has even been resistance to and obstructions of the anti-corruption process, actions that may demonstrate a lack of political will to bring the process further. This study is interpreting the theoretical notion of 'lack of political will', using Uganda as a case study to concretise and exemplify the concept. This study then looks at the specific obstructions and limits that the anti-corruption process has met in Uganda. By taking up recent, concrete examples of resistance to and obstruction of the reform process, the study looks at the vested interests behind these actions and (non-)decisions. Through a comparative look at the formal and informal approaches that have been used by donor agencies elsewhere to leverage or influence positive change, the study then suggest strategies to overcome this lack of political will to fight corruption.