The National Unity Platform (NUP) Party Presidential Candidate Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, has vowed to wage a relentless fight against corruption, saying the vice begins and ends with the country’s top leadership.
Speaking during the Presidential Candidate debate organized by Nation Media Group at Serena Hotel in Kampala on Sunday night, Kyagulanyi said any meaningful discussion on tackling corruption must start with an honest analysis of the problem, which he believes is rooted in governance failure and the absence of genuine political will.
He likened the situation to “a fish rotting from the head,” arguing that Uganda’s security and accountability systems are compromised because those at the top are more focused on clinging to power than serving citizens.
Kyagulanyi cited remarks previously made by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), who reportedly noted that big corruption suspects often “hide behind the President.” He claimed this is evidence that the fight against corruption is deliberately undermined from the highest office in the land.
“We are in a country where the Head of State is the chief priest of corruption,” Kyagulanyi said, pointing to what he called a pattern of major scandals in which high-profile officials are shielded from consequences.
He referenced the case of Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who has faced international sanctions over alleged corruption, yet remains firmly protected by the state. He also criticised the handling of court-flagged corruption cases, noting that some ministers with cases to answer have been “cleared,” even as other suspects are swiftly arrested.
Kyagulanyi further raised concerns over what he described as persistent allegations of bribery within Parliament, including claims that legislators have received millions of shillings in exchange for approving classified expenditures. He said that when the Leader of the Opposition petitioned the IGG to investigate these allegations, the matter went silent.
Despite what he called a hostile political environment, Kyagulanyi insisted that his camp has consistently demonstrated a firm stance against corruption within the limited power they currently hold.
He pledged that if elected President, his administration would operate on a strict policy of zero tolerance to corruption, starting from the highest office and cascading down through all levels of government.
“When the President truly fights corruption, when the President observes zero tolerance, it trickles down to ministers, to permanent secretaries and to every government official,” he said.
Kyagulanyi promised that under his leadership, anyone who attempts to steal public funds would face the full force of the law.
“Anybody that puts their hand in public money—the hand will not simply come out; their neck will go there as well,” he warned, underscoring his vow to hold all public officials accountable.
He concluded by assuring Ugandan’s that the NUP is committed to building a government where public office is a responsibility, not an avenue for personal enrichment.
