Weekly analysis: corruption, policing practices and public concerns in focus

In recent days, a number of seemingly unrelated developments in Uzbekistan have once again brought interconnected systemic issues to the surface. A major corruption case in Andijan, controversial “quota”-like practices within the internal affairs system, and disputes among artists over taxation have all drawn public attention. Together, these developments raise a broader question: is the system truly changing, or are problems simply taking new forms? 

A deputy governor caught in a $50,000 bribe case

Exactly one year ago, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Andijan and named the newly developed Yangi Andijan township after Babur. A ceremonial event was held on April 15 to mark the occasion. One year later, a major case involving the illegal sale of land in the same area has come to light. 

This time, the suspect was not a minor official but a senior figure — Isomiddin Ismanov, deputy to Andijan regional governor Shuhratbek Abdurahmonov. Appointed just four months earlier, Ismanov was detained by State Security Service officers while allegedly accepting a $50,000 bribe. 

According to investigators, the scheme followed a familiar pattern. A 20-sotix plot of state reserve land in Bobur city was to be put up for auction, with arrangements made to ensure a specific buyer would win. In return, Ismanov allegedly promised to facilitate official registration and secure permits for future construction, demanding $50,000 for his services. 

The money was reportedly received at his home, where he was immediately detained by security officers. On April 5, a criminal case was opened against him under multiple articles of the Criminal Code, including fraud and bribery-related charges. 

Notably, Ismanov himself has a background in law enforcement. Between 2022 and 2025, he served as deputy head of the Andijan regional Internal Affairs Department and head of the Public Security Service. He later held a senior post in the Interior Ministry before being appointed deputy governor in December 2025. 

Asset declaration reforms remain stalled

Overall, this is not the first such case involving officials within the internal affairs system this year. Former deputy minister Bekmurod Abdullayev and another official, Rustam Tursunov, were also dismissed and prosecuted over the embezzlement of 186 billion soums in public procurement. 

One of the most effective internationally recognized tools for combating corruption is the declaration of officials’ income and assets. In Uzbekistan, such a requirement was expected to come into force on January 1, 2022, based on a presidential decree adopted in July 2021. However, five years later, the law has yet to be implemented. 

The draft law on asset declaration was developed by the Anti-Corruption Agency and submitted for interagency review in 2021, including consultations with the Prosecutor General’s Office, the State Security Service, the Interior Ministry, and other institutions. It was later submitted to the Presidential Administration and the Cabinet of Ministers, but no final outcome has been announced. 

A subsequent presidential decree in April 2025 again set a deadline for preparing the draft law by May of that year, but it remains pending. Meanwhile, the president has repeatedly stressed the need for uncompromising measures against corruption. 

“Corruption is one of the most serious threats to state development, undermining justice, the rule of law and public trust. Allowing it is a betrayal of our reforms. In 2026, we will declare a ‘state of emergency’ in the fight against this scourge,” the president said. 

Police instructed to meet “vagrancy targets” in Tashkent

In recent years, controversial practices within the internal affairs system have increasingly come to light. While informal “plans” or quotas have long been rumored in various sectors, applying such approaches to law enforcement — including artificially identifying offenders to meet targets — has sparked public outrage. 

On April 6, audio and video recordings circulated on social media allegedly showing an official from the Almazar district department in Tashkent instructing prevention inspectors to find individuals and register them as “vagrants” in order to meet quotas. 

In the recordings, the official is heard criticizing inspectors for failing to produce cases and demanding results within a strict deadline. 

The recordings also suggest that, in the absence of actual cases, inspectors were encouraged to register acquaintances or relatives as “vagrants” to complete administrative protocols. 

The official reportedly set a target of up to 300 cases by midday, urging all personnel to go out and meet the quota. 

Authorities later confirmed that the employee had been dismissed and that an internal investigation is underway. However, key questions remain unanswered, including who issued such instructions and whether similar practices exist elsewhere. 

The issue has also been discussed at the highest level. During a recent meeting chaired by the president, concerns were raised about excessive bureaucratic layers hindering the work of prevention inspectors and diverting them from their core duties. 

Officials were instructed to streamline the system, eliminate unnecessary tasks, and refocus inspectors on ensuring community safety, preventing offenses, and addressing local issues directly. 

Next step forward in Uzbekistan–U.S. relations

For the first time in history, relations between Uzbekistan and the United States are experiencing their highest level of development. Frequent high-level exchanges, warm dialogue between leaders, ongoing correspondence from Donald Trump to Shavkat Mirziyoyev, participation in major international events, and the establishment of the U.S.–Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council all serve as clear evidence of this progress. 

Uzbekistan’s approach reflects a pragmatic foreign policy based on equal and mutually beneficial relations with countries across all regions — from north to west, and east to south. Unlike in the past, prioritizing one side over others offers neither political nor economic advantages. Today, Uzbekistan remains open to cooperation globally, with the primary goal of expanding trade, attracting investment, and improving living standards. 

As previously reported, the U.S.–Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council was established late last year. It is co-chaired by Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, and U.S. Special Representative for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor. 

This week was marked by Saida Mirziyoyeva’s visit to the United States. On April 6, the council officially launched its operations in Washington. It is aimed at creating a strong institutional platform for joint business initiatives. A memorandum of understanding was signed following the meeting. 

During the visit, Mirziyoyeva also attended a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, the Florida residence of former U.S. President Donald Trump, where she met with his daughter Tiffany Trump and Michael Boulos. In addition, she held a business breakfast meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where discussions focused on the activities of the Business and Investment Council. 

According to Mirziyoyeva, Uzbekistan and the United States are planning to launch a joint investment platform. She discussed this initiative with Ben Black, CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, which is expected to help attract American investors and mitigate investment risks. 

The corporation is a U.S. government financial institution that supports investment and economic projects in developing countries. It has already been involved in financing projects in Uzbekistan, particularly in renewable energy, including solar and wind power, as well as private sector development. 

Mirziyoyeva was accompanied during her visit by Komil Allamjonov, adviser at the Uzbek Embassy in the United States and representative of the Presidential Administration, as well as Nozima Davletova, a contractual consultant and head of the Human Capital Development Project Office. 

Taxation of performers sparks debate

In recent days, public debate in Uzbekistan has centered on a proposed new procedure for taxing performers’ income from weddings and events. The proposal has not yet come into force and remains under discussion. However, even at this stage, it has triggered sharp disagreements among artists and widespread reactions on social media. 

Singer Yulduz Usmonova has faced criticism online following her outspoken comments on the issue.

“If we are considered wasteful, then do not invite us to state events. Eliminate artists, eliminate art — organize everything yourselves. Do you even know how much it costs to produce a single song, even for the least active performer?” she said. 

Her remarks reflect a broader concern within the industry. In Uzbekistan, at least four to five major state events are held annually, including January 14, March 8, March 21, August 31 and December 8, along with numerous regional festivals and official ceremonies. Participation in such events often requires performers to produce new material, prepare costumes and attend rehearsals, frequently at their own expense. 

For example, while a performer like Usmonova may earn around $2,000 for a private event, that income is typically shared among a team of up to 20 people. Given her decades of experience, many argue that compensation for participation in large-scale state events should reflect the scale of effort involved. 

Observers note that the issue is not whether performers should pay taxes, but whether the system fairly accounts for their role and ensures appropriate compensation when they are engaged for public events. 

The Ministry of Culture has also responded, calling for adjustments to the proposed tax framework. Despite its formal objections to certain provisions, the draft was submitted for public discussion by the Ministry of Justice. 

According to the ministry, performers are already subject to taxation under existing legislation. A presidential decree adopted in July 2022 introduced mechanisms for paying income tax either through declaration or under a fixed system. 

Under current rules, performers pay a monthly social tax of no less than one base calculation unit, currently amounting to 412,000 soums, as well as a 12% income tax on their annual earnings. 

“The existing system clearly shows that performers are not outside the tax framework. Legal mechanisms are already in place and functioning. Therefore, claims that artists do not pay taxes at all do not fully reflect reality,” the ministry said. 

The ministry also stated that there are established procedures for paying honoraria to performers participating in state events. However, questions remain about how these payments are distributed and whether they fully reach the artists themselves. 

It added that proposals have been submitted to revise certain aspects of the draft, including introducing fairer tax rates, differentiated approaches for various categories of participants, and clearer implementation mechanisms. 

Tax inspections to be recorded on video

Staying on the topic of taxation, tax control activities conducted by authorities in Uzbekistan will now be recorded on video. This was approved on April 9 under a regulation outlining procedures for video recording tax inspections carried out by state tax authorities.

During such inspections, video recording will cover the registration of taxable objects, timekeeping observations, verification of the actual number of employees against reported figures, the use of cash registers and payment terminals, and compliance with trade and service regulations.

In addition, a temporary regulation adopted this week provides for the partial refund of value-added tax (VAT) for businesses engaged in jewelry production and retail. From January 1, 2026, 80% of VAT paid by such entrepreneurs will be refunded from the state budget.

Entrepreneurs will be eligible to apply for a partial tax refund after submitting their tax reports, but no later than three months thereafter. Applications will be reviewed through an automated system.

Subsidies to be allocated for meat imports

Another development concerns subsidies for entrepreneurs importing beef and lamb. According to a presidential decree adopted on April 7, additional measures have been introduced to support the supply of essential food products to the population.

From April 1 to August 1, entrepreneurs importing beef and lamb will be eligible for subsidies covering 50% of air transportation costs, up to a maximum of $0.80 per kilogram.

From April 1 to December 31, subsidies will also be provided for the import of pedigree cattle by air, covering 10% of their value, up to 4 million soums per head. These subsidies will be financed by the Agricultural Payments Agency.

Abuse in kindergartens raises concern

The rapid expansion of private schools and kindergartens in Uzbekistan has not been matched by the development of adequate standards and oversight. In many cases, staff with poor professional conduct continue to work in these institutions, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of children.

Some private kindergartens have drawn criticism for conditions that fall far short of educational standards. Parents are increasingly concerned reports of mistreatment, suggesting that children may be exposed to verbal and physical abuse despite significant fees being paid.

There are growing calls for accountability among preschool staff and administrators, with critics arguing that individuals who engage in abuse should not be allowed to work with children. Concerns also extend to broader systemic issues, including weak enforcement and limited practical consequences for offenders.

Public outrage has intensified following the circulation of another video this week, allegedly showing a caregiver in Navoi physically and verbally abusing children under their supervision.

According to the regional Internal Affairs Department, the incident occurred on April 7, although the name of the institution was not disclosed. The suspect, a 23-year-old caregiver, is accused of repeatedly abusing children in her care, taking advantage of their vulnerability and inability to defend themselves.

A criminal case has been opened under Article 110 (torture) of the Criminal Code, and the suspect has been detained. Preliminary investigations are ongoing.

A separate incident in Ohangaron also surfaced, showing a kindergarten employee physically assaulting and verbally abusing a child. Following an internal review, the employee was dismissed.

For more details, viewers can watch the full report on QALAMPIR.UZ’s official YouTube page.