Rubanda District LC5 Chairman Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba has warned that corruption disproportionately hurts poor communities by depriving them of essential public services and development opportunities.
Kasyaba said money allocated for schools, health facilities, roads, water projects and other public services should be protected because its loss directly affects ordinary citizens.
“When money intended for schools, hospitals, roads, water and other public services is stolen or diverted, communities lose opportunities that cannot easily be recovered,” he said.
He cited the stalled Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi-Kisoro-Mgahinga road project as an example, questioning how government would recover the money already advanced to the contractor if the contract is terminated.
“I was surprised that the contractor for a tourism road like Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi was advanced Shs16.8 billion, and now the contract is going to be terminated,” Kasyaba said.
“The question that would puzzle everyone of us is: Would government recover the money?” he added.
He said failure to recover public funds would further burden taxpayers while denying residents the infrastructure they were promised.
Kasyaba, quoting former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, described corruption as an “insidious and enormously destructive phenomenon” and called for stronger accountability in the management of public resources.
He urged authorities to ensure that contractors who receive public funds are held accountable for delivering projects to the required standards and within agreed timelines.
His remarks come amid growing concern over delays on the Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi-Kisoro-Mgahinga road project, with government last Friday warning that the contract could be terminated if the contractor fails to resume work.
The warning followed a high-level meeting chaired by Finance Minister Henry Musasizi and attended by ministers, Members of Parliament from Kigezi, officials from the African Development Bank (AfDB), district leaders, technical experts and private-sector representatives to review the progress of the project.
The meeting noted that government had largely met its contractual obligations, including financing commitments, acquisition of the right of way and compensation of project-affected persons.
About 80 per cent of land compensation has been completed, but physical progress on the project stands at only 2.13 per cent against a planned 37.15 per cent. Works have been suspended since June 1, 2026.
The meeting directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to take immediate measures to restore progress, while the Attorney General was tasked with urgently advising government on the legal issues surrounding the contract.
Government also resolved to explore all contractual options, including termination if the contractor fails to return to site. A joint field inspection involving key stakeholders will also be conducted to determine the next course of action.
Kigezi leaders have expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the road, warning that the approaching rainy season could further disrupt transport, tourism, trade and livelihoods.
Minister Musasizi reaffirmed government’s commitment to completing the project and appealed to regional leaders to help resolve the remaining right-of-way issues.
He also urged project-affected persons who have already received compensation not to reoccupy the road corridor as government works to fast-track implementation.
The Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi-Kisoro-Mgahinga road is expected to improve connectivity in the Kigezi sub-region, boost tourism to Lake Bunyonyi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and facilitate trade with neighbouring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kasyaba’s concerns over accountability also come at a time when President Museveni has called on leaders to take a tougher stance against corruption, particularly at the local government level.
Addressing members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on Friday, President Museveni said corruption and the diversion of public funds were contributing to growing resentment among citizens.
He specifically cited allegations involving Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, saying local leaders who divert the money intended for beneficiaries risk undermining government programmes.
“I’m glad some members are doing some work — like Balaam Barugahara and Nameere,” President Museveni said, referring to Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara and his junior, Justine Nameere, whom he commended for efforts to fight corruption.
“Apparently, this local corruption where you have the LCs or some of the leaders taking the PDM money, that’s how you get local resentment,” he added.
President Museveni urged newly elected MPs to use their positions to listen to citizens, expose corruption and speak out against wrongdoing.
“Therefore, now that you are elected, it will be very easy for people to tell you. If you want to be a good leader, be a durable leader, not a seasonal leader. I want you to be good leaders. Speak out,” he said.
He warned MPs against remaining silent about corruption, saying doing so would neither help government nor the population.
“If you think that keeping quiet is good, it will not help at all. I would really like to mobilize you people to fight corruption without fear, and you will be very popular among the population,” Museveni said.
The President also directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to instruct Minister Barugahara to investigate allegations of theft and corruption involving PDM funds in several districts.
He cited Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga and Buwambo among areas where allegations of PDM fund theft or misuse had been raised.
Museveni recalled that during his campaign visit to Maracha, a political rally effectively turned into a discussion about PDM.
“In Maracha, when I went to campaign, the rally turned into a PDM meeting,” he said.
He, however, singled out Kasese District for praise, saying he had received reports that PDM was performing well there.
“Where I heard PDM was doing well was in Kasese,” Museveni said, describing the programme as a potential game changer for households if properly implemented.
“PDM is a game changer for your people,” he told the MPs.
He urged legislators and local leaders to monitor the programme, expose diversion of funds and ensure beneficiaries receive the support intended for them.
Museveni also raised concern over alleged corruption in the recruitment of local government workers, saying he had received reports that government jobs were being sold to applicants.
He cited a case in Kibale where, according to information given to him, a government job was allegedly being offered for Shs10 million.
“Then you come to the local government. The selling of local government jobs. They told me in Kibale a government job was going for 10 million shillings,” he said.
He urged MPs to monitor recruitment processes and ensure government employment is based on merit rather than an applicant’s ability to pay.
