The Ugandan government has set up a new anti corruption watch body that will involve citizens in demanding accountability from their leaders and government institutions.

Ethics and Integrity Minister Dr. Nsaba Buturo was quoted by the state-owned New Vision daily as saying on Tuesday that the new body, Accountability Sector Secretariat, will coordinate with government institutions that receive and monitor the use of public funds.

The involving institutions include the ministries of finance, local government and public service, the Uganda Revenue Authority and the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Others are the Inspectorate of Government and the Auditor General.

According to Buturo, the secretariat would operate under the directorate of ethics and integrity in the Office of the President.

The Accountability Sector Secretariat is expected to equip citizens with skills to monitor programs. The members would be selected from the community and will work with the resident district commissioners.

Buturo blamed Ugandans for failure to hold their leaders accountable while announcing the new plan in Kampala on Monday.

"We have a population that is largely docile because of the traditional fear of people in authority. This provides fertile ground for thieves," he said.

Buturo said the secretariat would complement the upcoming Whistleblower Law and the village Barazas (public forums), which were recently created by President Yoweri Museveni.

David Nsubuga, the secretariat's project manager, said the body had already secured funding worth 300,000 U.S. dollars from the government and donor organizations.