Stop Public Humiliation: RDC Urges Minister Balaam to Partner with IGG, CID in Anti-Corruption Rallies

What the report says

Jinja District Resident District Commissioner Kasibante Hassan has urged Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara to work closely with the Inspectorate of Government and the Criminal Investigations Directorate during his nationwide anti-corruption rallies. In commentary published by Watchdog Uganda, Kasibante argued that public meetings should not become venues for unverified accusations that could embarrass innocent civil servants or be exploited by people pursuing private disputes.

He said that allegations raised at political gatherings should be treated as complaints that require formal investigation, not as proof of wrongdoing. To protect due process, he recommended that IG and CID officers attend the rallies in person to receive complaints, record statements and determine the next legal steps. His remarks reflect a broader concern that anti-graft campaigns can be used for public shaming if they are not tied to proper investigative procedures.

Kasibante also warned that local government staff, including RDCs, technical officers and contracts committee members, may be targeted by land grabbers or unhappy contractors seeking revenge. He said some cases could amount to what is locally described as public humiliation or “trial by media,” where damage to reputation can last even after an official is cleared.

While backing efforts to fight corruption, he said the campaign will be more credible if rallies collect complaints, investigators establish facts and courts decide guilt. The intervention comes amid Uganda’s continuing debate over how to balance citizen accountability, public exposure of corruption and the rights of accused officials.