KIGALI - A group of over 40 officials from various anticorruption institutions in the region, yesterday began a six-day workshop in Kigali on how to recover stolen public assets.

The seminar funded by the World Bank, was organised under the auspices of the East African Association of Anticorruption Authorities (EAAACA).

Charity Umunyana, a participant from the office of the Ombudsman said: "This workshop is very important because it’s going to equip us with more techniques on how best to trace and get back stolen public properties.”

She added that they will also pass on the acquired skills to their colleagues in other government institutions in charge of fighting corruption.

Sarah Birungi Kalibbala, the head of prosecution unit at the Inspectorate of Government in Uganda, said the seminar will help participants make effective follow ups concerning cases of embezzlement of public assets.

"Our laws lack specific procedures on asset recovery, so I believe this training is an opportunity for us to be in a position to deal with these matters as they arise,” Birungi said.

The Prosecutor General of Southern Sudan, Filberto Mayout Mareng, said: "Southern Sudan will become an independent state in a few weeks’ time, and therefore, the process of asset recovery is something we need to introduce to promote good governance.”

He added that his country still faced some security challenges, saying that the rule of law needs to be strengthened in all institutions.

 Dr Smokin Wanjala, one of the trainers, said that the seminar is the first of a series of courses that the World Bank plans to facilitate in the region regarding fighting corruption and embezzlement of public assets.

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