A section of leaders in Kabale District have welcomed the planned visit by the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, to investigate and fight corruption, describing the initiative as long overdue.
In a revised notice addressed to chief administrative officers (CAOs) in the Kigezi sub-region, Minister Barugahara said he would personally visit each district for a one-day engagement with district leaders, technical staff and other key stakeholders.
According to a schedule shared on his X account, the minister is expected to visit Rukiga District on Thursday, October 22, Kabale on Friday, October 23, Rubanda on Saturday, October 24, Kisoro on Sunday, October 25, Kanungu on Tuesday, October 27, and Rukungiri on Wednesday, October 28.
Joshua Musinguzi, the Kyanamira Sub-county district councillor, said members of the public had questioned the delay in taking action against corruption despite allegations that the vice was widespread in public institutions.
Musinguzi urged the minister to empower local leaders to sustain the fight against corruption beyond his visit to the region.
However, he cautioned Barugahara against arresting head teachers over the collection of Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) contributions, arguing that the payments are agreed upon by parents to support the running of schools.
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Gilbert Niwanganyira, the Butanda Sub-county district councillor, said the minister’s visit could improve service delivery, which he said had been undermined by corruption and the alleged misappropriation of government resources.
Niwanganyira cited 27 heifers reportedly procured under a Green Climate Fund-supported wetland restoration and compensation project. He claimed the animals were delivered shortly after officials implementing the project learnt of the minister’s planned visit to Kabale.
He urged Barugahara to handle allegations in the district carefully, warning that religious divisions among civil servants and politicians could lead some people to exploit the anti-corruption campaign to settle scores by making false accusations against their opponents.
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Bony Tumuranzye, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) coordinator for Kabale District, also described the campaign as long overdue and significant.
However, he urged the minister to ensure that anyone found guilty of corruption is held accountable and punished in accordance with Ugandan law, including the relevant provisions of the Constitution.
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Gideon Tumwesigye, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) speaker for the Kigezi region, said the minister had taken too long to visit the area and address concerns about alleged corruption among public officials.
Tumwesigye claimed Kabale Municipal Council had resumed work on a stalled water project in Rushaki after learning of the minister’s planned visit.
He also accused Barugahara of promoting the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), which he said was yet to be registered as a political party. He likened the minister to John the Baptist, a biblical figure known for preparing the way for Jesus Christ.
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