OPINION: Has Uganda lost the corruption battle?

By Hon Odonga Otto -Political Philosopher 

April 2026

Is all rotten from inside out or outside in? Is the society perverted in graft? The answer is yes. Corruption in Uganda is at the core. It is the new normal . Mention the word corruption people are quick to think of only political corruption yet Bishops pocket church collections , pastors con the penniless poor , politicians bribe voters and voters demand the same .Children demand sweets from parents to run a campaign to be assistant meal prefect in P. 1. The police pick bribes now with a clean conscience to prefer lesser charges , the civil service does not work unless you cough . Even in Nasser road to forge a first class degree they ask for more money than a second class degree as if it takes more toner to print first class degree .In courts of law it is nearly “money justice”.

The corrupt have made it the the poor are vulnerable and can’t resist corrupt either. 

Uganda seem done and dusted .

This article is a response to the statement of the problem by one [email protected]

Causes of corruption:

I opine that the era of capitalism has brought in more corruption. it is now man eat man and not man eat meat” There is virtually no service that the government offers ti its citizens for free . Tell me ? hospitals,police service ,education none. Maybe roads -also on loans 

The traditional governments of 1960 70s and 80s had civil servants stay in government houses with paid electricity and water 

A police or army would board public transport for free if he or she wore uniform. Children would board buses for free as long as the hand across the head does not touch the ear 

But now in 2026 if you fall down see if anyone would come to your rescue? 

The society is harsh.There are no more public toilets . To pee in the city one needs money just like to get water to drink .

In developed societies there is a public tap in public squares that supplies water to the public and the water is safer than bottled water.

The capitalism we adopted has no human face.

citizens have to vend for themselves. The are not rules. The only rule in thus contest is,‘don’t get caught’. Even if you get caught make sure you have enough money for the prosecutors money to prefer lesser charges , money for the lawyers and maybe judges 

 Themes the institutionalization of corruption in Uganda 

What can be done ?

1- Every society should at least provide something cost free for its citizens and tax payers . Certain services like education, health, water and electricity should be for free or at a minimal administrative charge. This brings patriotism and reduces the pressure on individual salaries. The government needs to move left.

2. There is need to alter the education curriculum and have morality in school learning at the early ages . Costa Rica managed through peace studies and altered the society in 30 years. The President of Costa Rica got a noble prize over the same. Why should my child be thought; who is the father Abraham or Jacob or Esau ? How does religious studies in that context help abolish corruption ? The curriculum should not be to pass exams but with role plays, field visit to see those convicted of corruption. hospital visits and charity visits. Those convicted of corruption you be allowed to go to primary school assemblies and talk to pupils the wrath he/ she is suffering 

3. ⁠For Prosection it is a little late and the corrupt are more powerful than those to prosecute them. How can you send a CID police officer earning 300,000 ushs to Investigate scandal of 1 trillion ? The result is obvious.

 The line of prosecution needs political goodwill . But in Uganda as long as you can don in a Yellow t- shirt you are feared by law enforcers and your problems are halfed.

4. There is need Physical manual count of all properties in Uganda and all those with unclear sources should be nationalized and then given to the homeless. This can lead a President killed but it has to be done. Someone has to swallow the bullet or clean the sewer lines.

5. ⁠Restoration of Presidential term limits. so that every 10 years those who cheat are caught when regime changes and subsequent arrest and prosecution .

Under the current regime the corrupt they have stolen for too long and they are home and dry 

In zambia the government nationalized the farm of the former President lungu.

It’s getting late in Uganda but it’s never too late 

For now the only fair neutralizer for corruption is that "one out of every one person dies"

The author 

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