Uganda Parliament Speaker Calls for Action Against Illicit Financial Flows in Africa
Speaker Anita Among has emphasized the need to combat illicit financial flows that result in Africa losing an estimated US$88 billion annually.
Addressing the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committee (AFROPAC) Conference and Fifth Annual General Meeting in Kampala, Speaker Among highlighted the severe impact of these losses on essential services and infrastructure development in African countries.
The conference, themed ‘Strengthening Legislative Action to Combat Illicit Financial Flows and Foster Public Financial Resilience’, aims to address the challenges posed by illicit financial activities.
Speaker Among praised the efforts of public accounts committees (PACs) in addressing economic mismanagement but stressed the importance of transparency, good governance, and strong institutions to ensure greater accountability in Africa. She also pledged the support of the Association of African Parliament Speakers in advocating for increased funding to AFROPAC.
AFROPAC’s Chairperson, Hon. Medard Sseggona, highlighted the significance of collaboration in the fight against illicit financial flows and commended regional organizations for their support. He emphasized the need for African parliaments to take decisive action against these harmful activities and urged governments to allocate more resources to AFROPAC.
The Secretary General of AFROPAC, Hon. Mark Botomani, acknowledged the challenges in implementing PAC recommendations and stressed the importance of utilizing public resources for sustainable development and the wellbeing of citizens.
Established in 2013, AFROPAC is a network of parliamentary oversight committees dedicated to promoting good governance, accountability, and transparency in public resource management across Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.