KAMPALA — The grand halls of Imperial Royale Hotel became the centre of Uganda’s renewed anti-corruption battle on Tuesday as thousands of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Government Internal Security Officers (GISOs) and government leaders gathered under one message: the corruption monster must be confronted from the grassroots.
At the centre of the engagement was Hon. Balam Barugahara Ateenyi, the Minister of State for Local Government, who challenged local government leaders to strengthen accountability, protect public resources and ensure government programmes deliver tangible results to citizens.
The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Local Government, was held to implement President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive to expose and eliminate corruption from public institutions.
For hours inside the Imperial Royale conference hall, discussions focused on one major question: how can government stop corruption before it steals another road, another classroom, another medicine supply or another opportunity from ordinary Ugandans?
Balam’s Message: The Fight Starts at the Grassroots
Addressing the gathering, Balam said local governments occupy a critical position in Uganda’s development journey because they are closest to citizens and directly oversee essential services.
He challenged RDCs and GISOs to become stronger guardians of public resources by monitoring government projects, exposing irregularities and ensuring accountability.
According to Balam, corruption weakens decentralisation because it prevents resources meant for citizens from achieving their intended purpose.
He said leaders must understand that public offices are a responsibility entrusted to them by Ugandans.
The minister’s message placed local governments at the centre of the national anti-corruption campaign, arguing that the success of the fight depends on what happens in districts, municipalities and communities.
Kumumanya Tightens the Noose
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, set the tone of the engagement by declaring that fighting corruption must become a measure of leadership performance.
Kumumanya said the meeting was convened to address implementation of President Museveni’s directive to expose and eliminate corruption.
He challenged leaders to move beyond discussions and take practical action against corruption.
According to Kumumanya, the relevance of public servants will be measured by their ability to protect public resources and ensure effective service delivery.
Babalanda’s Strong Warning
Minister of State for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda emerged as one of the strongest voices during the engagement, warning that corruption has direct consequences on ordinary citizens.
She condemned the theft of medicines, diversion of road funds, procurement irregularities, ghost beneficiaries and the selling of government jobs.
Babalanda said every stolen shilling denies citizens access to essential services.
She urged RDCs and GISOs to intensify monitoring of government programmes and expose individuals who misuse public resources.
Nameere’s Integrity Message
Hon. Justine Nameere challenged leaders to choose integrity over corruption, warning that silence among public officials allows graft to continue.
She said corruption is not only about stolen money but stolen opportunities for communities.
Nameere urged leaders to put citizens’ interests first and ensure that government resources benefit the people they are intended to serve.
Muhwezi: Corruption as a National Threat
Security Minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi described corruption as a threat to Uganda’s development and called for stronger supervision of government programmes.
He urged leaders to support efforts aimed at protecting public resources and ensuring that development programmes succeed.
The RDC and GISO Assignment
The Imperial Royale engagement placed RDCs and GISOs at the centre of Uganda’s accountability framework.
Their responsibility now extends beyond receiving reports.
They are expected to monitor projects, provide intelligence, identify weaknesses and ensure that government programmes reach intended beneficiaries.
Speaking on behalf of RDCs, Ahmed Washaki welcomed the renewed campaign but appealed for improved facilitation to strengthen their monitoring role.
He cited challenges including inadequate transport, limited operational support and logistical constraints affecting supervision of government programmes.
The Real Test Begins Beyond Imperial Royale
As the meeting closed, the message from government leaders was clear.
The fight against corruption will not be won inside conference halls.
It will be won in villages where citizens wait for medicine.
It will be won on roads where communities demand better infrastructure.
It will be won in schools where children need quality education.
For Balam Barugahara Ateenyi and the Ministry of Local Government, the Imperial Royale engagement marked a renewed commitment to making local governments the frontline in protecting public resources.
The corruption monster has been challenged.
The next battle is turning the words from Imperial Royale into action across Uganda’s districts.
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