The Balaam Approach and the Fight against Corruption: A Commentary
By Hon Dr Godfrey Pereza Ahabwe, former Minister of State for Local Government
VERBATTIM: I read a book by Michela Wrong on Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaire) titled “IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MR CRUZ.”
My missive is not necessarily related to the story but as a former Minister of State for Local Government, I thought that starting as such will capture my audience on what I am going to say.
Right from the word go, let me applaud my young brother and successor Hon Balaam Barugahara and my daughter Ms Justine Namere on the crusade to stamp out this scourge of corruption.
I am extremely happy that for once, there are Ministers who are backed and protected by the names of the mighty! Behind Balaam, there is comrade MK. Beside Justine, there is YKMT.
What a development!
Many of us have had a beating because of being steadfast and anti the vice! While in Uganda Airlines as Chairman, I couldn’t tolerate corruption and incompetence, the reason we terminated Ms Jenifer Bamuturaki as Director Commercial but President Museveni though informed about what was happening protected and promoted her. Instead of applauding us, he forced us to leave.
Four years later, the Airline nearly went to its knees! My understanding is that President Museveni all along used corruption as a weapon to keep power! The Bamuturaki name was not new to him from the University of Dar-es-Salaam days! Hon George Bamuturaki represented Kabarole North East Constituency in the Fourth Parliament of Uganda in 1981. Unfortunately, he died in February 2982 in Kampala when a bomb was thrown at a group having a light moment at Kisementi in Kamwokya.
It is alleged that he was killed because of his support for NRA rebels fighting to overthrow the then UPC government. The rest is history they say!
For us who trained as Cadres, we are used as sacrificial lambs for the so-called good cause while the likes of Anita Annet Among were fished from the opposition and given powerful positions! I am glad that MK looks different.
Back to the title, Balaam and Justine, you have followed us who were there! I saw President Museveni talk ill of Hon Raphael Magyezi that he was a weak Minister!
Mr. President, for once, appreciate people who have worked hard for Uganda but also for your personal interests! Hon Magyezi lost his seat because of you. He lost his esteem because of you! Lost his Banyankore tribesmen’s respect because of you! Kindly support him to rest in political peace!
If he had the backing the current team has, he would possibly have done a good job. We, who served in the Local Government Ministry, besides having no resources to talk of, did what we could in the circumstances!
Just imagine, were Hons Amanya Mushega, Bidandi Ssali, Kahinda Otafiire, Prof Tarsis Kabwegere, Adolf Mwesigye, Tom Butime and Raphael Magyezi incompetent? Is Hon Balaam Barugahara much better than those eminent Ugandans? How about the Nameres of the time?
I mean, Hons Dr Phillip Byaruhanga (RIP), Dr Richard Nduhura, Hope Mwesigye, Dr Godfrey Pereza Ahabwe, Alex Onzima, Jennifer Namuyangu, etc?
Ndugu Balaam, the war against corruption should be fought on a common front involving all your colleagues. At the Local Government level, it is just low hanging fruits. There is more rot among MDAs at the center.
Corruption became systemic and therefore must be dealt with by a system. However, it is said that half a loaf is better than none. Your efforts are commendable. How I wish MK could start to engage the relevant watchdogs and remind them of his commitment to incarcerate the corrupt officials including taking responsibility for loss of public money. I am talking about the IGG, the CID, the PSs and other Accounting Officers in MDAs.
The Local Governments, the Ministers should hold Regional Meetings with CAOs, IGG, CID, DPC, DHOs, Town Clerks, Sub-county Chiefs, DEOs, Inspectors of Schools, and Heads of Regional and District Hospitals to augment on the spot visits and barazas! Message? Tolerate corruption at your risk. What risks? Job loss and possible prosecution.
All in all, President Museveni’s liberal and politically influenced approach, often informed by whistleblowers, who may be fighting personal wars, is already tested and cannot impact the corruption scene. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
