Kampala: The Minister of Local Government Hon. Balam Barugahara Ateenyi has declared an intensified war against corruption in Uganda’s local governments, calling on Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Government Internal Security Officers (GISOs) to strengthen oversight of government programmes and ensure public resources benefit the citizens they are intended to serve.
Speaking during a high-level anti-corruption meeting held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, Balam said corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to effective service delivery, warning that leaders who misuse public resources are denying Ugandans access to quality health care, education, roads and other essential services.
The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Local Government, brought together thousands of RDCs and GISOs from across the country to discuss the implementation of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive to expose and eliminate corruption in public institutions.
Balam said local governments occupy a strategic position in Uganda’s decentralisation system and therefore have a duty to uphold transparency, accountability and integrity in managing public resources.
“We must declare an uncompromising war against corruption. Every public servant has a responsibility to protect government resources and ensure that every programme delivers results for the people,” Balam said.
He urged RDCs and GISOs to strengthen supervision of government projects, monitor procurement processes and work closely with accounting officers and technical teams to detect and report corrupt practices before they undermine service delivery.
According to the minister, corruption not only drains public finances but also erodes public confidence in government institutions and delays national development.
Balam said the Ministry of Local Government will continue working with security agencies, district leaders and oversight institutions to improve accountability and ensure that government programmes achieve their intended objectives.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, said the meeting was organised to operationalise President Museveni’s directive aimed at exposing and eliminating corruption throughout the country.
Kumumanya challenged RDCs and GISOs to become champions of accountability by closely monitoring government projects and ensuring that taxpayers receive value for money.
“Our relevance as public servants will be measured by our commitment to fighting corruption,” Kumumanya told the gathering.
He added that protecting public resources is essential to improving service delivery and achieving Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
Minister of State for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda urged commissioners to remain vigilant against corruption, describing the theft of medicines, diversion of road funds, ghost beneficiaries, procurement fraud and the sale of government jobs as practices that continue to undermine government programmes.
Quoting 2 Chronicles 19:7, Babalanda reminded public officials that leadership should be guided by justice, fairness and integrity.
“Every shilling stolen denies our people access to quality services,” she said, urging RDCs and GISOs to expose corruption wherever it occurs.
Security Minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi described corruption as a threat to both national security and economic development. He called for stronger monitoring of government projects and supported the use of forensic audits to identify misuse of public funds.
Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity Rose Lilly Akello urged public servants to uphold ethical values, including honesty, justice, fairness and accountability, saying corruption can only be defeated when leaders choose integrity over personal gain.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from government leaders to strengthen the fight against corruption at the grassroots. Balam challenged RDCs and GISOs to return to their districts with renewed determination to protect public resources, monitor government programmes and ensure that every public shilling delivers value to citizens.
He said eliminating corruption is not only a government priority but also a national responsibility requiring cooperation among political leaders, technical officers, security agencies and the public.
As Uganda intensifies its anti-corruption campaign, the message from the Ministry of Local Government was clear: there will be no safe haven for corruption, and leaders entrusted with public resources will increasingly be expected to account for every decision made in office.
