By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Ugandan justice and constitutional affairs minister, Nobert Mao says there needs to be a radical overhaul of the system for the fight against corruption to succeed.
“The problem of corruption in Uganda is no longer like changing oil, fixing a car tyre or painting a car that has been scratched. We are facing an engine knock. So, we require an overhaul. A systemic overhaul and that has always been the Democratic Party (DP) focus”, said minister Mao.
He was responding to corruption Crisis in Uganda during a media engagement at the DP party headquarters on Balintuma road Rubaga division, Kampala when he said that the issue cannot be effectively addressed without confronting the question of power. According to Mao, the root of Uganda’s corruption lies in the concentration of power and lack of accountability within the current government and emphasized that meaningful progress against corruption requires fundamental transformation of power dynamics at play.
The president of the Democratic Party (DP), has expressed concerns about the motivations of some individuals claiming to fight corruption in Uganda. He says these self-proclaimed anti-corruption crusaders are exploiting the concept of “people power” to empower themselves, thereby undermining the genuine fight against corruption.
“Most of you claiming to be fighting corruption are just beating the shadow of the snake, [ Mukuba kisikilize kya musota] and you think it’s going to die”, he challenged.
Mao emphasized that corruption is a grave issue that demands a sincere and strategic approach. He asserted that the DP will not collaborate with any group that prioritizes personal interests over the collective good, seeking to exploit the vulnerability of Ugandans for their own gain.
“Corruption is a serious problem and it requires serious people to fight it. It has to be fought seriously. And I will never join anymore efforts to people who are not serious. DP will never join anything that is not serious,” Mao said.
This is the first time Mao is making public statements on the corruption crisis since the Anti-Corruption demonstrations on July 23. In his statement, he emphasized the need for a government that is accountable to its citizens.
“The problem of corruption in Uganda is no longer like changing oil, fixing a car tyre or painting a car that has been scratched. We are facing an engine knock. So, we require an overhaul. A systemic overhaul and that has always been the Democratic Party (DP) focus”, said minister Mao.
He assured Ugandans that when DP regains power, it will prioritize integrity, transparency, and accountability, promising a new era of responsible leadership that puts citizenry needs before personal gains.
