Fraud destroys democracy

Fraud Hurts Democracy, Says APRM Report

New Vision (Kampala)

NEWS
15 June 2008
Posted to the web 16 June 2008

By Joyce Namutebi And Madinah Tebajjukira
Kampala

CORRUPTION undermines democracy, according to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

"Corruption and poor governance often mean that the resources, which should fuel economic growth and create employment opportunities for the poor, are instead diverted to enrich the few corrupt individuals," the national commission said in its report which was given to MPs last week.

The 22-member commission included government officials, the opposition, religious leaders, academia and civil society organisations.

APRM is a self-monitoring mechanism intended to foster adoption of policies and practices that lead to political stability economic growth and sustainable development.

The report said the country had registered progress in improving the status of women and the fight aganist HIV/AIDS.