President Museveni has reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption in Uganda.
This follows concerns raised by the Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi about the apparent soft stance of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership on graft.
President Museveni’s latest comments on corruption, come days after the Anti-corruption Court in Kampala remanded to Luzira prison the three Members of Parliament (MPs) accused of soliciting for a kickback from the Uganda Human Rights Commission in exchange for a budget increment.
The trio is; Lwengo District Woman representative Cissy Namujju, Bunyole East’s Yusuf Mutembuli and his Busiki South Counterpart Paul Akamba. All subscribe to the NRM.
“According to Prosecution, the MPs on May 13 in Kampala solicited for 20 percent as kickback out of a budge increment they promised to lobby for the Commission in the 2024/2025 Financial Year allocation.
Another group of three MPs and a lawyer are battling corruption charges relating to diversion of public resources and conspiracy to commit a felony.
These are; Micheal Mawanda of Igara East Constituency in Bushenyi District, Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi of Elgon County in Bulambuli District, Paul Akamba Busiki County in Namutumba District and city layer Julius Kirya of Kirya Company Advocates.
They are accused of diverting Shs3.4 billion meant for war loss compensation by government to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society for their personal use.
In the statement issued this evening, the president has assured Ugandans that he is confident that the vice shall be stamped out.
“The NRM does not victimize anybody without proof. That is why some people think the party is soft on corruption. We insist on proof, and apparently this proof is abundant but responsible people have not been looking for it”, President Museveni said in a statement.
He noted that corruption is diverting a lot of money that could develop the country, with the Inspectorate of Government estimating that upto Shs 10tn is lost to the vice every year.
The president also promises to ensure the economy grows in double digits, up from this year’s growth rate of 6% if the thieves and the indisciplined are stamped out.
