NATIONAL
The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) has criticised the manner in which engineers were recently arrested in Bukambuli and Mbale districts, accusing Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara and his junior, Justine Nameere, of acting with overzealousness in the government’s anti-corruption campaign.
UIPE president Eng. Peterson Mwesiga says the ordered arrests of engineers and other technical staff over alleged shoddy public works without first ensuring that proper investigations had been conducted, was unlawful and unprofessional, exhibiting excitement among the two ministers.
Mwesiga said although the institution fully supports President Yoweri Museveni’s renewed fight against corruption, the campaign must be implemented within the law and with respect for professional standards.
“While UIPE fully supports His Excellency the President’s renewed crackdown on corruption, we believe that the gains of this fight are lost when it is reduced to a charade, public spectacle and theatrical grandstanding by excited and overzealous officials,” Mwesiga said.
He argued that questions regarding the quality of asphalt and the scope of infrastructure works cannot be determined by politicians during public rallies and then used as the basis for arresting engineers.
According to Mwesiga, arrests should only follow thorough technical investigations conducted by competent professionals and in accordance with due process.
UIPE also questioned the legal mandate of ministers to effect arrests, saying arbitrary detention of engineers only humiliates technical staff, lowers morale and ultimately undermines service delivery.
The institution further said investigations into alleged corruption should also examine the working conditions and political pressure faced by engineers in local governments instead of making them scapegoats.
Mwesiga announced that UIPE has launched its own investigations into the recent arrests and pledged to pursue any cases involving abuse of its members’ rights.
He pledged UIPE’s commitment to supporting government in the fight against corruption and is ready to provide engineering expertise to aid technical investigations into public infrastructure projects.
“UIPE will continue engaging government and relevant ministries through its advocacy platforms to promote professionalism, accountability and due process in the implementation of public infrastructure projects,” he said.
