THIEVES WILL CRY! Museveni Defends Barugahara and Nameere’s Anti-Corruption Tours

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has backed the field inspection tours being conducted by Ministers Balaam Barugahara and Justine Nameere, dismissing concerns that the ministers could be “Kutomera” — a local expression meaning blindly bumping into issues without proper evidence.

In a statement addressed to Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu [grandchildren],” Museveni said the high number of corruption complaints received from citizens justifies the government’s renewed efforts to investigate alleged wrongdoing.

“Some of the commentators were worried that this may be Kutomera (bumping into issues blindly). This is most unlikely. Why?” Museveni wrote.

“It is on account of the impunity and frequency of the corruption occurrences and the unaccountable actors.”

The President said corruption allegations have repeatedly emerged from different parts of the country, including during his political campaigns, where citizens interrupted his programmes to report cases of misuse of public resources.

“I have told you before, that during the campaigns, my campaigns had to be interrupted to deal with the information from the angry citizens about corruption in PDM, etc,” he stated.

Museveni also revealed that elders from Bunyoro had previously approached him with allegations that government jobs were being sold, while other complaints involved ghost workers in public institutions.

“Earlier on, I had met a delegation of elders from the Bunyoro area talking about the selling of local Government jobs,” he said.

“There are numerous stories about the ghosts of learners and teachers in Government Schools, as well as health centres of the Government.”

The President argued that the concerns raised over Barugahara and Nameere’s approach may not reflect the reality on the ground, saying corruption has become widespread enough to require direct engagement with citizens.

“Therefore, the fear that the Barugaharas and Nameeres may Kutomera, may not be based on facts,” Museveni said.

He called on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to establish a dedicated mechanism to quickly examine evidence gathered from corruption complaints and ensure suspects face prosecution.

“The challenge now is for the DPP to have a dedicated officer that can quickly assess the abundant evidence against these criminals so that they are prosecuted,” he said.

Museveni identified two major obstacles that have slowed the fight against corruption — protection of corrupt officials by insiders and silence from influential citizens who have access to government decision-makers.

“The main problems on the issue of corruption have been two: the cover up by the responsible officials that should be protecting national interests and the failure to report by the elite that have access to the decision-making centres,” he explained.

According to Museveni, the public gatherings organised by Barugahara and Nameere have allowed citizens to bypass what he described as a barrier created by officials shielding corrupt actors.

“That is why Barugahara and Nameere, by going to the People directly in the form of Barazas (Public gatherings), have by-passed the blockade of the thieves manned by the responsible elements of the elite,” he stated.

However, the President praised some government officials and citizens who have reported corruption cases, singling out Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama for exposing alleged extortionists operating near State House.

“One of them is Hon. Byamukama, who exposed to me the racket of extorters that were operating in State House, here,” Museveni said.

“He reported them to me, and we trapped the thieves and arrested them.”

Museveni insisted that corruption can be defeated if government officers stop protecting offenders and citizens actively report wrongdoing.

“This corruption in Uganda is stoppable,” he declared.

“Do not cover-up if you are a Government officer and report if you are a citizen.”

The President also referenced previous efforts to follow up corruption complaints raised by citizens, saying former Minister Raphael Magyezi had been tasked with investigating some of the reported cases.

“I had, indeed, sent the former Minister Magyezi to follow up the issues of corruption the People had reported to me,” Museveni said.

“He did go to these places but, it seems, decisive action had not been taken.”

Museveni said the public response to Barugahara and Nameere’s actions reminded him of the early days of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), when citizens attended government meetings voluntarily.

“You can see the enthusiasm of the People in response to Barugahara and Nameere’s decisive actions,” he said.

“We are back to the earlier NRM days when huge crowds would flock voluntarily to our public meetings without being given water to drink, food, hiring tents for the local elite while the masses stay in the rain or the sun.”

Balaam Barugahara’s broom has been sweeping across the country. Names of Ankole’s 36 CAOs and Other District Officials Removed from Office Over Corruption are Here.