Kampala — Driven by the desire to cut quick underhand deals, the private sector has fuelled corruption, escalating the cost of doing business in the country, a new survey reveal.

A survey conducted by the Uganda Manufacturers Association on producers' views on corruption and how it affects them, shows that up to 72 per cent of the private sector actively contributes to perpetuation of corruption.

"Many are looking for the shortest route to success," the survey stated in part, meaning that most deals the private sector engage in many times flout the necessary guidelines and therefore illegal.

The survey was conducted in a span of about two months and at least 200 industrialists including firms in the service sector were involved.

Acknowledged

The Executive Director, UMA, Mr Gideon Baddagawa, told Daily Monitor in an interview that the private sector has eventually appreciated that corruption is rampant and not until it is tackled together with other stakeholders it will impact on the local business competitiveness.

"Industrialists agree that the private sector plays a significant role in the perpetuation of corruption, but it takes two parties to be corrupt," Mr Baddagawa said.

"Evasion of taxes and quick clearance at custom points, being party to illicit business, production of substandard goods are all areas that prompt private sector into corruption tendencies," reads the report.