Mwambutsya Ndebesa, MA Political Economy – Hist. Photo Credit: Mwambutsya File.
By Leonard Kamugisha Akida |
There is a lot of controversy surrounding Presidential motive to lead masses in a walk to end corruption bringing it to its zeroes in Uganda, the “Anti-Corruption Walk” as dubbed.
Among the critiques against the walk is the opposition political party Forum for Democratic Change – FDC, Civil Society member Bishop Zac Niringiye among other senior citizens.
Tomorrow Wednesday December 4th, 2019 the country and whole world in particular shall see what the government call a ‘sigh of relief’ and ‘action to better’ as multitudes gather at Kampala’s City Square formerly the Constitutional Square in an Anti Corruption walk to Kololo Airstrip.
H.E Yoweri Museveni is a chief walker despite the accusations by sections of Ugandans of championing corruption in the country.
The walk is aims to raise awareness during the anti-corruption week on the dangers and various measures government is undertaking to consolidate the fight against corruption, ensure culprits are appropriately punished and where possible stolen public resources are recovered.
Mwambutsya Ndebesa (56yrs), MA. Political economy (Hist) of the University of Dar es salaam and also a Law Don at Makerere university, is optimistic that Museveni’s walk against corruption is a waste with likelihood to paralyze businesses in the city centre.
Mwambutsya who in his social media post shrewdly called himself “Fala” was quick to remind his followers about previous government moves to deny members of the opposition rights to hold meetings in the Central Business District of Kampala claiming that the former would disrupt businesses.
“As a Fala can I be allowed to ask this question. Opposition has been denied to hold meetings in the Central Business District of Kampala (CBD). Reason they would disrupt businesses and people would make losses! Now on 4th December there is a planned massive walk from the city square call it a constitutional square if you want to Kololo Airstrip. Since this will involve the President many roads shall be closed. Won’t this disrupt businesses in the CBD?” Rhetorical Mwambutsya asked.
The presidential strategic plans to kickout corruption out of God comes at a time when the country is ranked among the most corrupt states in the world and on the African continent.
Besides, a prominent source in the NRM party who preferred anonymity says there is too much pressure mounted on the Fountain of Honor from the western states like USA, EU who are the chief donors of the country’s budget.
“Its should be noted with great concern that there is a number of government officials basically members of the NRM government who have been apparently denied US VISAS on corruption and violation of human rights allegations something that is seemingly shaking the president from his deep slumber to fight corruptioncorruption,” Anonymous source revealed.
Officials whose US Visas have been cancelled include among others; Former IGP Gen. Kale Kayihura and Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa.
Mwambutsya is not alone. A number of country men and women including Civil Society Organizations, Activists, Economists are crying foul over the escalating levels of embezzlement, bribery, money laundering, income inequalities and other forms of corruption.
Popular Civil Society member and Holy man Bishop Zac Niringiye blames corruption in Uganda on the political leadership of the country.
“Corruption is a political problem. It is everywhere. This walk is political.” Niringiye asserts.
He made these remarks while appearing on the NBS TV Morning Breeze show earlier today.
According to the Corruption Perspective Index (CPI) 2018 scores, Uganda scored 26% putting it to 149th and 16th most corrupt Country in the world and Africa in particular, Report by Transparency International 2018.
Transparency International 2018 |
The latest Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries on a rating scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (Highly clean) in the world.Seychelles, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Rwanda, Namibia and Mauritius are among the transparent nations in the world.
Delia Ferreira Rubio, Chair, Transparency International, said,“Corruption is much more likely to flourish where democratic foundations are weak and, as we have seen in many countries, where undemocratic and populist politicians can use it to their advantage.”
Read to see a list of people involved in corruption scandals in Uganda, https://www.ganintegrity.com/portal/country-profiles/uganda/
The judiciary, police, public procurements, public service sector, religious men and other government agencies have been on spotlights for gratification, bribery, embezzlement name nonetheless they are transfered to different departments, offices and go unquestionable.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/IGG-names-80-most-corrupt-government-agencies/688334-4260848-4a41abz/index.html
Chief Justice Bart Katureebe has hitherto acknowledged the extent of corruption in Ugandan society and the fact that it also infiltrates the judiciary. Katureebe indicated that in several cases, corrupt judicial officers have been found guilty by the courts, but were ultimately set free by the same corrupt system (The Ugandan Today, Apr. 2017).
Review on Museveni’s fight against corruption.
History has not forgotten about his 10points programs that included fighting corruption.
Government, policy makers and Parliament have tried harder to fight corruption by establishing Anti Corruption commissions, drafting policies and Laws. The most recent is the State Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) chaired by Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema.