As the tenure of Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Olive Namisango Kamya nears its end in September 2025, uncertainty looms over whether President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will renew her contract.
Kamya, who assumed office in 2021, replaced Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja, whose tenure had drawn criticism from the President. However, despite her appointment to one of the country’s most powerful anti-corruption offices, Kamya’s time in office has been marked by political undercurrents, sidelining, and questions about her office effectiveness.
Is It A Rocky Relationship with the President ?
From the onset, Kamya’s relationship with President Museveni has been far from smooth. One of their most notable clashes happened in December 2021 during the International Anti-Corruption Day celebrations when the President warned her to go slow on lifestyle audits. Museveni argued that some “big thieves” were still reinvesting their stolen wealth into the economy through hotels and apartments an assertion that many saw as a direct undermining of her mandate.
This was just the beginning. Over time, Museveni increasingly entrusted major corruption investigations to alternative bodies such as the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) and the Internal Security Organization (ISO), sidelining the IGG from cases that should have been within her jurisdiction.
The Rise of State House Anti-Corruption Unit
The creation of SHACU and the Investor Protection Unit significantly reduced the IGG’s influence. For instance, during the Karamoja iron sheets scandal that saw three ministers Gorret Kitutu, Agnes Nandutu, and Amos Lugolobi arrested, it was SHACU and ISO that took charge of the investigation, not the IGG.
Similarly, in the Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society scandal, where MPs Michael Mawanda, Wakamanyi Akamba, Leonard Kavundira, and Julius Kirya were investigated over the alleged misappropriation of Shs7.3 billion, the IGG was relegated to the sidelines, only getting involved towards the tail end.
Even in the unfolding Bank of Uganda Shs60 billion money heist, Museveni has once again entrusted investigative agencies such as the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Internal Security (ISO), CMI and SHACU to handle the probe leaving Kamya’s office on the periphery.
Unfinished Business and Allegations of Leniency
Kamya’s tenure has also been marred by accusations of inaction on several high-profile corruption cases. The stalled construction of major projects such as the new Parliament building, Lubowa Specialized Hospital, and the Namanve Industrial Park remain unresolved, with no conclusive reports from her office.
Moreover, allegations have surfaced that Kamya has been lenient on corruption within Parliament. Unexplained large sums of money have reportedly been deposited into staff accounts, yet the IGG has not taken decisive action. This has raised concerns about her commitment to tackling corruption at all levels.
The recent scrutiny by MPs on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee over the construction of the IGG’s own office building, which began in 2019, has also cast doubt on her office’s management of resources. Questions over whether the project has delivered value for money linger, further denting the credibility of her tenure.
What Next for Beti Kamya?
When Museveni appointed Kamya as IGG, many believed it was a political rehabilitation move after she failed to reclaim her Rubaga North parliamentary seat. Her appointment allowed her to regain political relevance while earning a lucrative salary of at least Shs36 million per month, along with other benefits. However, with her term nearing its end, the question remains will Museveni extend her tenure, or will he replace her with someone he considers more effective?
Given the growing reliance on alternative investigative units and the IGG’s diminishing influence in high-profile cases, the signs suggest that Kamya’s reappointment is far from guaranteed. If Museveni has already shifted the core anti-corruption mandate to SHACU and other agencies, then renewing her contract may be seen as redundant.
However, Kamya’s survival may depend on political considerations. If Museveni still sees value in keeping her close, she might secure another term. But if he is looking for a fresh start in the IGG’s office, Kamya’s time as the country’s lead anti-corruption enforcer may be coming to an end.
Only time will tell whether she will be given another chance or if a new IGG will take the helm.
