A section of leaders from Kigezi sub-region have welcomed method used by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara to fight corruption and expose the corrupt, while others say he should put in place mechanism of recovering money allegedly stolen before ordering interdiction.
Barugahara started his expose the corrupt campaign in Kigezi on October 23 in Rukiga and ended in Rukungiri on October 28, where he ordered interdiction of about 200 civil servants over corruption-related offences and ordered State House anti-corruption unit to investigate.
Kabale Municipality Mayor Sentaro Byamugisha said minister’s visit reminded local leaders of oversight role.
“Minister Barugahara’s visit in this area cleaned some politicians’ names that have been soiled by political opponents that branded them as corrupt. If given an opportunity as local leaders we have a lot to share with our line ministry especially on issues of service delivery. Personally I felt relieved when Mr Barugahara re-allocated lockup shops and stalls at Kabale central market against allegations that I was among owners of lockup shops in this government facility and no single trader mentioned me as his or her landlord,” Byamugisha said.
Rukiga District Council Speaker Oscar Akampurira welcomed the work methods on quick reaction to issues raised, although approach denied accused persons chance to thoroughly defend themselves.
“Although the approach used to expose corrupt officials at public gatherings was good, it may lead to hatred in communities because some allegations were malicious against some individuals. We request for speedy investigations against implicated civil servants so that those found innocent can resume their work to avoid gaps in service delivery,” Akampurira said.
Executive Director of Kick Corruption out of Uganda Robert Byamugisha Kakuru said the visit was a deserved oversight role and every minister should emulate.
“During his visit, he played an oversight role and whistle blowing as he handed over suspected corrupt civil servants to police for further investigations. Leaving out other key stakeholders such as officials from Inspectorate of Government, Auditor General, ethics and integrity among others to join him in this nationwide campaign of fighting corruption is only gap I observed, otherwise his approach of giving instant feedback on handling corrupt is welcome,” Kakuru said.
Kanungu District Council Speaker Frank Byaruhanga said they will petition permanent secretary at Ministry of Local Government for advice on handling service delivery gaps created by order to interdict civil servants including chief administrative officer.
“The minister of local government Mr Barugahara directed that over 40 civil servants including chief administrative officer should be interdicted. The district council will soon seat and write to permanent secretary ministry of local government seeking guidance on how created gaps in service delivery shall be filled. We urgently need a chief administrative officer so that service delivery is not crippled,” Byaruhanga said.
Executive Director for Kigezi Human Rights Foundation Daniel Eguma who doubles as coordinator for Human Rights Uganda Foundation said there is need for public to see how much has been recovered and how many have been prosecuted.
“We want to see civil servants implicated in corruption-related offences being prosecuted in courts of law if they are guilty of alleged offences instead of seeing them being seen handcuffed in videos on social media and television. We want minister to use his powers and recover money allegedly swindled by implicated civil servants as a way of showing accountability of government funds he is using in fight against corruption,” Eguma said.
Deputy Speaker of Kabale District Council Tom Kazemera said although strategy of exposing corrupt is good, minister should have instituted committee to handle allegations so aggrieved can seek redress.