Building ethics and integrity in the public sector in Uganda: A search for a superlative approach

Abstract

Building ethics and integrity in the public sector is a great concern for governments aiming at realizing good governance principles and for ensuring appropriate public administration and management. It is noted, however, that while efforts for guaranteeing ethics and integrity in Uganda’s public sector have always been instituted, the major approach has been centered on using legal approaches within the public sector confines. The tendency to neglect the integration of informal organizational processes and institutions outside the public sector is seen as a substantial explanation of the persisting ethical and integrity issues in managing public institutions. In this article, a theory-based analysis is applied to explore the practices of the public service. Realizing the persistent challenges of public sector ethics and integrity in Uganda, the article raises possible explanations grounded in Joseph A. Patrick and John F. Quinn’s (1997) ethical model. While a wide range of approaches have been employed to eradicate unethical behavior of public servants, it is realized that legal redresses are unable to offer all-round solutions. As such, the emphasis of using moral values and standards is seen as the best alternative solution for public sector management.