Uzbekistan Overhauls Anti-Corruption Efforts Removing 117 Officials
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has ordered the dismissal of 117 heads of internal anti-corruption control units across ministries and government agencies. The decision follows concerns over ineffective oversight and a lack of proactive measures in tackling corruption. The dismissed officials will be replaced with professionals who demonstrate integrity and commitment to systemic reform.
Reforming anti-corruption oversight
President Mirziyoyev expressed dissatisfaction with the Anti-Corruption Agency’s performance, criticising it for focusing on statistics rather than addressing corruption at its source. He noted that agency employees failed to engage with high-risk areas such as district health departments, employment offices, and bank branches to identify and eliminate corruption risks.
«The biggest question is: why do these efforts only begin after a presidential order?» he stated, emphasising the need for proactive measures.
To enhance oversight, compliance control for five key institutions— the Ministries of Health, Construction, Water Management, Uzbekneftegaz, and Uzsuvtaminot—will be transferred to the agency as part of an experimental restructuring. By the end of the year, these ministries must report to the National Council on the corruption risks they have mitigated and the resulting benefits to the public.
Strengthening accountability and transparency
Following an increase in scrutiny over investment programmes, authorities saved UZS 3 trillion (approximately USD 240 mln) in 2023. Additionally, the establishment of the Situational Centre in the healthcare sector prevented UZS 1.2 trillion (approximately USD 96 mln) in unnecessary expenditures last year.
The President also instructed the Prime Minister to ensure that regional compliance officers are directly accountable to their respective ministers. These ministers will assume political responsibility for corruption within their sectors. Furthermore, regional anti-corruption councils will undergo a complete restructuring, with the heads of regional councils of people’s deputies appointed as new chairpersons.
