Museveni backs Balam, Nameere anti-corruption inspection

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni has publicly supported anti-corruption inspection tours led by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara and State Minister Justine Nameere, after criticism that their surprise visits to government offices and projects amount to indiscriminate searches for wrongdoing. According to The Independent Uganda, Museveni said the inspections reflect repeated complaints from citizens about corruption and poor accountability in local government and public programmes.

The article says the President cited allegations including theft in government schemes, the sale of local government jobs, payroll irregularities, and the presence of so-called “ghost” learners and teachers in schools and health centres. He also urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to assign an officer to quickly review evidence gathered during the tours so cases can move to prosecution where warranted.

Barugahara and Nameere have in recent months carried out public inspections across the country, questioning officials over suspected misuse of funds and service delivery failures. Some visits have led to arrests or interdictions, drawing support from members of the public who see the campaign as a direct response to corruption. At the same time, MPs and professional groups, including the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers, have raised concerns about due process and the public handling of suspects.

Museveni said the wider problem is not only corruption itself but also the failure of some officials and elites to report abuses. The story is significant because it shows presidential backing for a visible anti-graft drive inside local government, while highlighting debate over how such enforcement should be carried out.