Museveni Defends Corruption Field Inspections, Calls for Swift Prosecution

President Yoweri Museveni has defended field inspection tours by Ministers Hon. David Barugahara and Hon. Minsa Kabanda Nameere, dismissing concerns that their approach could amount to “Kutomera” — blindly stumbling into issues.

Museveni said the inspections are unlikely to be based on guesswork, given the frequency of corruption allegations and the lack of accountability among some government officials.

In a statement, Museveni said corruption concerns had reached him during the recent campaigns, forcing him to interrupt his activities to address complaints from citizens, particularly regarding corruption in the Parish Development Model (PDM).

He also cited reports from elders in the Bunyoro region alleging the sale of local government jobs, as well as claims involving ghost learners and teachers in government schools and ghost workers in government health centres.

“The challenge now is for the DPP to have a dedicated officer that can quickly assess the abundant evidence against these criminals so that they are prosecuted,” Museveni said.

The President identified what he described as two major challenges in fighting corruption: the cover-up of corruption by responsible officials and the failure of elites with access to decision-making centres to report wrongdoing.

He said Barugahara and Nameere had bypassed what he called the “blockade of the thieves” by directly engaging citizens through Barazas, or public gatherings, allowing them to receive information directly from the public.

Museveni also praised Hon. Byamukama for exposing an alleged racket involving extortionists operating at State House. He said the individuals were reported, trapped and arrested.

“This corruption in Uganda is stoppable,” Museveni said, urging government officials not to cover up corruption and citizens to report cases.

He added that he had previously assigned former Minister Magyezi to follow up on corruption allegations raised by citizens. Although Magyezi visited some of the affected areas, Museveni said decisive action appeared not to have been taken.

The President said the public response to the current field inspections showed renewed enthusiasm reminiscent of the early days of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), when large crowds voluntarily attended public meetings without expecting food, water or other incentives.

Museveni urged both government officials and citizens to play their part in exposing and fighting corruption.