Kampala — THE corrupt face 10 years in prison and a fine of sh100m under the Anti-Corruption Bill which Parliament passed yesterday.

The Bill still awaits President Yoweri Museveni's signature to be enacted into law. The bill, aimed at preventing corruption, gives special investigation powers to the Inspector General of Government and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

According to the new law, public officials who fail to explain the sources of their wealth will be prosecuted.

The Bill also empowers Government agencies to investigate persons whose wealth is not commensurate with their sources of income.

It defines corruption as solicitation and acceptance of anything by a public officer, diversion of public funds as well as fraudulent acquisition and concealment of property.

Sectarianism, nepotism, impersonation of public officers, causing financial loss to the Government and influence-peddling are also criminal offences under the law.

"Corruption has given Uganda a bad image and wastes many resources. A public official convicted of corruption will be disqualified from holding a public office for 10 years," ethics minister Nsaba Buturo, the initiator of the bill told Parliament,

Yumbe MP Huda Oleru appealed for the increase of salaries of investigators of corruption, especially the Police. "If we don't increase their pay, they will be tempted to be corrupt and many cases will die at the investigation level," she said.

Soroti Woman MP Alice Alaso appealed to change the word corruption into theft. "Corruption sounds nice and acceptable. We should call it theft. A thief is what Ugandans understand and no one loves to be called a thief," she said as the House roared in laughter.

MPs welcomed the introduction of patriotism classes, saying if young people grow up loving their country they would not engage in corrupt practices.

However, Julius Balyejjusa (PWD) noted that the fight against corruption may be constrained as corrupt officials tend to register stolen properties in the names of their children and relatives.

To this, Speaker Edward Ssekandi said: "If we get a seven-year-old with one billion on his account, we will ask how he got it."

Kawempe north MP Latif Sebaggala noted that corruption starts with the electorate. "Voters ask for kitu kidogo (tips)."

Throughout the debate, Sheema MP Ephraim Kamuntu (NRM) kept warning those agitating for harsh punishments such as Nandala Mafabi, who called for firing squad, to be careful.

"We make laws that are double-edged swords. Those pushing 'holier than thou' positions will be the first beneficiaries of these harsh punishments," he warned. Prisons, he said, should be for reformative purposes and not to make people desperate.