Ethics and Integrity at UCCM Uganda.

HomeEthics and Integrity at UCCM Uganda.

At CCM Uganda, we are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all our operations. Our dedication extends across a broad spectrum of moral considerations, focusing on distinguishing between right and wrong, good and bad, and guiding the behavior of CCM members, staff, and all partners within our network.

Ethics at CCM Uganda is grounded in principles, values, and beliefs that shape human conduct and decision-making. We are committed to maintaining robust frameworks for evaluating actions and determining what is morally acceptable. Unethical conduct is unequivocally unacceptable within our organization, and it is ingrained in our culture that there is no justification for such behavior.

Our Ethics Department plays a pivotal role in fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency. We are dedicated to creating a safe and respectful environment for all stakeholders, with a strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable individuals from any form of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH).

CCM members are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct, actively working to prevent, detect, and respond to conflicts of interest, unethical behavior, and prohibited practices. Strong ethics and good governance are integral to our ability to support the Global Fund’s mission to eradicate HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

To ensure compliance and enforcement of ethical standards, the UCCM Board has established a five-member Ethics Committee, supported by a full-time Ethics Officer. This structure is designed to uphold the highest ethical values and promote a culture of integrity in all UCCM activities related to the Global Fund.

Strategic Focus Areas

The Strategic focus areas of the UCCM Ethics office and Ethics Committee are:

  • Objective 1: Values and Principles driven actions & behaviors
  • Objective 2: Conflict of Interest (CoI) management
  • Objective 3: Policies & Procedures
  • Objective 4: Accountability in case of alleged or reported breaches
  • Objective 5: Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH)
  • Objective 6: Sustainability and contribution to capacity building/strengthening

Conflict of Interest Policy

CCM Uganda is committed to transparency in decision-making. As a virtual entity, we at the UCCM strive to avoid Conflicts of Interest at all levels with a robust updated conflict of interest Policy 2025 providing guidance on identifying and managing conflicts of interest to ensure that professional judgment is not compromised by personal interests. Our Conflict of Interest Policy ensures that personal interests do not interfere with the integrity of our work. All stakeholders must disclose any potential conflicts and recuse from discussions and decision making processes in promotion of fairness and accountability.

UCCM Code of Conduct

The UCCM Code of conduct establishes the rules or guidelines that outline the expected behaviors and ethical standards of UCCM Members, Secretariat staff and Partners to maintain fairness, respect and professionalism in all interactions and activities of the Global Fund for which UCCM conducts an oversight function. The code is designed to ensure that UCCM Members, Staff and partners adhere to a common set of principles, promoting a positive and ethical environment as a framework for ethical decision-making, professionalism, and interactions/engagement. View the Code of Conduct

Ethics Committee

As part of our commitment to ethical leadership, CCM Uganda aligned with the Global Fund’s approach by establishing an Ethics and Governance Committee (EGC). The Ethics Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring ethical decision-making and adherence to governance standards within the CCM. The Ethics Committee in Uganda reports to the UCCM Board, while ensuring accountability, fairness, equity, inclusion and alignment with global ethical standards.

Roles of the Ethics and Governance Committee:

  • Oversight of Governance Structures to ensure ethical considerations are integrated into all aspects of decision-making.
  • Policy Implementation by conducting oversight on the application and enforcement of ethics and integrity-related policies.
  • Conflict of Interest Management to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct for all UCCM members, staff, all persons in contact with UCCM activities and mitigates potential conflicts.
  • Ethical Guidance by providing advisory support on ethical dilemmas to the Board, upholding ethical standards and designs training programs to promote ethical awareness among stakeholders.
  • Receiving and reviewing ethical complaints
  • Ensuring fair and impartial investigations of ethical breaches and reports back to the UCCM Board with recommendations.

Reporting Mechanism for Complaints Handling

We encourage individuals to report any ethical concerns, misconduct, or breaches of our policies through our confidential complaints handling system. Reports can be submitted via:

Note: All reports are handled with confidentiality, and appropriate actions are taken following due process.

Membership of the Ethics Committee

  1. Mr. Kuraish Mubiru – Chairperson Ethics Committee
  2. Dr. Herman Joseph Kawuma – (Former Ethics Committee Chairperson) & Member Ethics Committee
  3. Mrs. Rosemary Ssenabulya – (Former UCCM Vice Chairperson) Member Ethics Committee
  4. Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze – (MOH) Member Ethics Committee
  5. Dr. Francis Engwau – (UNFPA) Member Ethics Committee
  6. The UCCM Ethics officer is the secretary to the committee 

Reporting Unethical Behavior

We at the UCCM condemn unethical behavior with the utmost contempt it deserves and in compliance with the Governance Manual, Ethical Code of Conduct, the Conflict of Interest policy and the entire UCCM governance and policy framework is mandatory for all that come in contact with the activities of the UCCM for the Global Fund. All unethical behavior must be reported and/or brought to the attention of the Ethics Committee which provides recommendations to the Board and ensures that the UCCM image is held in high esteem premised on ethical values and standards by all UCCM members, staff, and partners.

To ensure the above standard of ethical behavior, reporting unethical behavior is encouraged at all levels of activities of the UCCM including but not limited to use of the UCCM complaint handling mechanism tool, reporting the ethical breach to the full-time UCCM Ethics Officer, through the I Speak Out Now channel, whistleblower channel, or Global Fund hotlines.

Complaint Handling Mechanism

The UCCM Board approved a Complaint Handling Mechanism tool developed by the Ethics Officer with support of the Ethics Committee to aid reporting of ethical breaches of any kind from noncompliance with the code of conduct, Conflict of Interest policy and others to direct breach of the governance and policy framework of the UCCM. A copy is attached on the UCCM website.

Whistleblowers Policy

The UCCM is committed to maintaining a safe space for reporting unethical behavior through our whistleblower channel, where confidentiality is of the utmost importance. We encourage beneficiaries, members of the public, UCCM members, and partners to utilize this channel, with the assurance that the source of information will remain confidential. We take pride in the reports received through this channel, which help us identify and address unethical behavior within the UCCM. Learn more about our Whistleblowing Policy

I-SPEAK OUT NOW Initiative

I-SPEAK OUT NOW is our platform that empowers individuals to voice ethical concerns and report misconduct safely and confidentially. This initiative encourages proactive engagement in upholding integrity within our programs. Visit I-SPEAK OUT NOW for more information.

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