Digital Anti-Corruption Mechanisms in Uzbekistan: Legal Frameworks, E-Government Tools, and Reform Challenges

Abstract

Uzbekistan has repositioned digital governance at the center of its anti-corruption strategy, moving from an initial e-government concept toward increasingly integrated compliance architecture. This article examines the legal frameworks, institutional actors, and digital instruments that constitute Uzbekistan’s evolving anti-corruption model, drawing on legislation, presidential decrees, international assessments, and secondary literature published through mid-2026. Using a doctrinal-analytical and policy-review methodology, the study traces the trajectory from the 2017 Law “On Combating Corruption” to the December 2025 declaration of an anti-corruption “state of emergency” and the pilot launch of the “Digital Compliance” system in July 2026. Findings indicate measurable gains in e-government maturity and transparency rankings, alongside persistent challenges of institutional independence, cybersecurity, and the risk that digital discretion may simply replace bureaucratic discretion. The article concludes with recommendations for aligning digital reform with international anti-corruption standards.