Local Gov’t Leaders Told to Champion a Renewed Commitment Against Corruption 

Local Government Leaders, Ministers, Departments and Agencies representatives convened a meeting hosted by the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, alongside other government leaders and officials.

The Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Jessica Rose Alupo, who officiatiated at the one-day meeting urged leaders to implement the directive of H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to expose and eliminate corruption in Uganda.

Representing H.E. President Yoweri Museveni at a high-level meeting of Local Government political and technical leaders convened by the Ministry of Local Government, the Vice President applauded the efforts of the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, and the Minister of State for Local Government, Hon. Justine Nameere Nsubuga, in advancing the Ministry’s anti-corruption campaign. “Their inspections, follow-ups, oversight and decisive interventions have sent a strong message to all leaders that the era of laxity, impunity and misuse of public resources must end, and it must end now,” she said.

While reaffirming that corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, the Vice President emphasised that anti-corruption operations must respect the Constitution and the rule of law. She reminded leaders that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty and cautioned against practices that expose individuals to public humiliation before due legal process has taken its course.

The meeting is brought together District Chairpersons, City and Municipal Council Speakers, Mayors, Chairpersons of District and City Service Commissions, Chief Administrative Officers, and Town Clerks from across the country to discuss the implementation of the President's directive.

The Minister for Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has called on local government leaders to fully support the Anti-Corruption team of ministers deployed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to expose and eliminate corruption across the country.

Speaking during a meeting convened Minister Balaam urged district chairpersons, city and municipal speakers, mayors, chairpersons of district and city service commissions, chief administrative officers and town clerks to cooperate with the Anti-Corruption Unit and ministerial teams whenever they visit their respective districts.

He said the President's directive is aimed at strengthening accountability, promoting transparency and ensuring that public resources are used for their intended purpose to improve service delivery for all Ugandans.

Hon. Balaam emphasized that local governments are at the centre of implementing government programmes and therefore have a vital role in exposing corruption and supporting government efforts to safeguard public resources. He encouraged leaders to provide the necessary information and cooperation to the Anti-Corruption Unit and the visiting ministerial teams to enable them to effectively execute their mandate.

Hon Milly Babalanda (R) with Hon Justine Nameere

The Minister for the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Budiope West Constituency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, called on Local Government leaders to take a firm stand against corruption, warning that collusion among public officials is undermining service delivery and delaying Uganda’s transformation.

Speaking at the meeting the Minister Babalanda said corruption “is the theft of opportunities from our children, medicines from our patients, classrooms from our learners, roads from our farmers, and ultimately the theft of hope from our people.”

“Every shilling diverted through corruption denies a Ugandan family access to better healthcare, quality education, clean water, better roads and improved livelihoods. That is why the President has directed all government institutions to intensify the fight against corruption without fear or favour,” she said.

The Minister of State Local Gov't Hon. Justin Nameere while giving a vote of thanks encouraged participants to use the engagement to share practical recommendations that will strengthen accountability and improve governance across local governments.