The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth, has rejected calls to suspend anti-corruption inspections in schools, saying the operations must continue despite concerns that they are disrupting learning during the final term.
The concerns were raised by local government leaders during a meeting with the Speaker ahead of their next regional engagements in Tororo.
The leaders, under the Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA), were led by the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Local Government, Betty Nambooze.
They said inspections being conducted by the Minister of Local Government, Balam Barugahara, are affecting teaching, particularly in candidate classes preparing for their final examinations.
The leaders also reported that some teachers have deserted their schools during the inspections, leaving learners, especially candidates, affected at a critical time of the academic year.
They proposed that similar inspections be conducted during the first term, when they said there would be less disruption to learning.
However, Speaker Oboth Oboth maintained that the fight against corruption must continue, stressing that those found to be innocent should be cleared, while those implicated in corruption should be held accountable.
He also urged local government leaders and school management committees to strengthen their oversight responsibilities, saying effective supervision could help detect and prevent corruption before government inspectors intervene.
The debate comes as schools enter the final term, with candidate students preparing for their end-of-cycle examinations.
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