By Brian Mugenyi
KAMPALA — In a packed hall at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, where thousands of government representatives gathered under one roof, Hon. Justine Nameere delivered a message that cut through the noise of another government meeting: corruption must no longer find shelter among public leaders.
As the government renewed its campaign to expose and eliminate corruption, Nameere challenged leaders entrusted with public responsibility to confront practices that continue to weaken service delivery and deny citizens the benefits of national development programmes.
Her message was simple but powerful — leadership without integrity cannot transform communities.
Speaking during a high-level anti-corruption meeting attended by thousands of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Government Internal Security Officers (GISOs) from across Uganda, Nameere warned that corruption remains one of the biggest obstacles to effective governance.
She said the fight against corruption requires more than policies and speeches; it requires leaders with the courage to protect public resources, expose wrongdoing and put citizens’ interests first.
“Corruption thrives where leaders choose silence. Every public servant has a responsibility to protect government resources and ensure they reach the people,” Nameere said.
The meeting was convened by the Ministry of Local Government to implement President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive to expose and eliminate corruption from public institutions.
Nameere said local governments are particularly important in the fight against corruption because they are the closest government structures to citizens and directly oversee many services, including health, education, roads and community development programmes.
She cautioned leaders against turning a blind eye to corrupt practices, saying protecting wrongdoers damages public confidence and delays national development.
According to Nameere, corruption does not only steal money; it steals opportunities from ordinary Ugandans.
She pointed to the impact of corruption on communities, where stolen resources translate into poor services, incomplete projects and reduced opportunities for citizens.
The remarks placed Nameere among senior government voices calling for a stronger accountability culture as Uganda intensifies efforts to improve public service delivery.
The meeting was addressed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, who said the “corruption monster” must be eliminated through stronger monitoring, transparency and accountability.
Kumumanya told RDCs and GISOs that President Museveni’s directive requires every government leader to actively participate in exposing corruption.
Minister of State for Local Government Hon. Balam Barugahara Ateenyi reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening accountability in local governments, saying public resources must be protected for the benefit of citizens.
Minister of State for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda also tasked RDCs and GISOs to intensify the fight against corruption, warning against theft of medicines, diversion of road funds, procurement irregularities and the selling of government jobs.
She said every stolen shilling denies citizens access to essential services.
Security Minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi described corruption as a threat to Uganda’s development and urged leaders to strengthen supervision of government programmes.
As the meeting ended, Nameere’s message remained at the centre of the discussions — that defeating corruption requires leaders who are willing to defend accountability, uphold integrity and put national interest above personal gain.
For citizens watching the fight against corruption unfold, the true test will not be measured by speeches delivered in conference halls, but by whether government services reach the communities that need them most.
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