KAMPALA — Jinja District Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Kasibante Hassan has appealed to the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, to coordinate his nationwide anti-corruption rallies with the Inspectorate of Government (IG) and Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID).
Kasibante warns that without formal investigative presence, public gatherings risk being weaponised by malicious actors to humiliate innocent public servants under the guise of fighting graft.
The Key Message: Rallies as Complaint Desks, Not Trial Courts
Writing in a commentary published this week, the Jinja RDC stressed that while citizen mobilisation gives the public a crucial platform to voice grievances, allegations raised from a political podium must be treated strictly as complaints requiring formal verification rather than immediate proof of guilt.
“An allegation alone should never become a sentence delivered before a cheering crowd,” Kasibante stated, adding that a loud accusation or an excited audience cannot serve as a substitute for legal truth.
To preserve due process, Kasibante advised Minister Balaam to ensure IG and CID officers are physically present at all rallies to receive complaints, record statements, gather evidence, and determine proper legal proceedings.
The Threat to Field Officers and Technical Staff
Highlighting the risks faced by local government officials, Kasibante explained how entrenched cartels—including land grabbers and aggrieved contractors—could exploit open rallies to settle personal scores against officers who blocked their illegal interests.
* Land Disputes: Disgruntled land grabbers could pay mobs to make false claims against RDCs who halted unlawful evictions, turning public rallies against the very officers protecting communities.
* Procurement Retaliation: Unsuccessful bidders in district procurement processes might sponsor public accusations to target technical officers and members of contracts committees.
“We must clearly distinguish between genuinely exposing corruption and weaponising the anti-corruption drive to humiliate individuals—what is locally known as ‘okulabisa’ or ‘okulagako,'” he urged.
The Lasting Harm of “Trial by Media”
Beyond podium accusations, Kasibante expressed broader concern regarding the practice of publicly parading civil servants before investigations conclude or courts deliver a verdict. Drawing a parallel to earlier State House anti-corruption operations under Col. Edith Nakalema, he noted that public arrests generate immediate headlines while subsequent clearances or court acquittals receive almost no attention.
This imbalance leaves exonerated officers with permanent reputational damage. Initial arrest reports remain online indefinitely, damaging livelihoods, careers, and family ties long after an individual has been cleared of wrongdoing. Media houses and investigating authorities, he argued, must give equal publicity to acquittals and exonerations.
Institutional Framework for Anti-Graft Fight
Reiterating his support for a strong anti-corruption campaign, Kasibante concluded that long-term success depends on evidence, fairness, and constitutional due process.
“Let the rallies gather complaints. Let investigators establish the facts. Let the courts determine guilt. This balanced approach will build public confidence, safeguard innocent public servants, and ensure that real offenders are held fully accountable,” he stated.
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