Anti-corruption activists have expressed disappointment over what they described as government’s lack of good will and commitment to fight the vice. Speaking during the first Annual National Anti-Corruption Convention yesterday in Kampala, the activists criticized President Museveni for “his soft approach towards corrupt government officials”.
In a keynote address prepared by ACODE Executive Director Godber Tumushabe and read by NGO Forum’s Arthur Larok, the activists advised Ugandans to look elsewhere for solutions against corruption other than from government. “The Constitution should be reclaimed. The President has an opportunity to make announcements to unlock opportunities to fight corrupt,” Mr Tumushabe’s presentation read in part. Retired Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba said corruption has created unrest in the minds of many Ugandans, saying a government of corrupt officials will not be in power for very long.
Courage
“Ugandans must have courage to speak up,” Justice Kanyeihamba said. He also appealed for “a list of shame” to be adopted by the media to publish the names of public officials involved in corruption.
Army MP Gen. Elly Tumwiine, also present at the meet, encouraged Ugandans to “ignore fear, intimidation” and “defend Uganda against corruption.” He caused laughter when he noted that just like HIV/Aids, many a times, corruption is conceived in secret.
Meanwhile, Western Youth MP Gerald Karuhanga, describing the state of corruption in government in a poem recital, said: “The behavior of our leaders in ungodly”. An academic, Prof. Mwambutsya Ndebesa, called for a shift in methodology of fighting corruption to performance-based accountability imposed on leaders. He called on Ugandans to perform their roles as citizens and not as subjects of a system.
Female Youth MP Monica Amoding laid blame on the last two generation of mothers who, she said, failed to instill virtues of honesty in the current crop of leaders. She said the biggest challenge lawmakers’ face is demand for money from their electorate.
jnjoroge@ug.nationmedia.com
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