VP Alupo hails ministers Barugahara, Nameere on anti-graft fight
“Their inspections, follow-ups and decisive interventions have sent a strong and timely awakening call to all leaders that the era of laxity, impunity and misuse of public resources must end,” Alupo said.
(L-R) Balaam Barugahara, the Minister of Local Government looks on as Uganda's Vice President Jessica Alupo interacts with Justine Nameere, the State Minister for Local Government. This was during the meeting of local government leaders on the implementation of the President’s directive to eliminate corruption in Uganda at Hotel Africana on August 5, 2026. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)
KAMPALA - Vice President Jessica Alupo has hailed local government minister Balaam Barugahara and his junior minister Justine Nameere for the “energetic and visible steps” they have taken in recent months to confront corruption in local governments.
“Their inspections, follow-ups and decisive interventions have sent a strong and timely awakening call to all leaders that the era of laxity, impunity and misuse of public resources must end,” Alupo said.
She made the remarks on Wednesday (August 5) while opening a one-day high-level national meeting on the implementation of President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to expose and eliminate corruption in Uganda.
The meeting, which was held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, brought together political and technical leaders from all districts, cities and municipalities in the country.
“Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. The President has consistently made it clear that a public office is a position of trust, and that every leader entrusted with public resources must account for every shilling and every decision made on behalf of the people. This is not a routine administrative message; it is a national call to action,” Alupo emphasised.
Barugahara noted that President Museveni said his main focus this term of office is to address corruption at all levels.
“As a good student, I was given an assignment to fix the gaps and ensure things are done right in our local governments so that Ugandans enjoy improved services,” he said.
“Their inspections, follow-ups and decisive interventions have sent a strong and timely awakening call to all leaders that the era of laxity, impunity and misuse of public resources must end,” Alupo said. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)
“We welcome all efforts to promote accountability, value for money and better service delivery in roads, schools, health centres, markets, irrigation schemes and other decentralised local services. At the same time, we request that the campaign also recognises the services local governments have delivered, supervised and monitored across the country,” he said.
Awany also said they acknowledge concerns about poor performance, abuse of office, mismanagement of public funds and weak accountability, which have affected the quality of services delivered to citizens.
“In view of your ongoing monitoring and inspection visits to Local Governments, we respectfully propose that each visit be preceded by thorough verification of issues, proper documentation, and advance sharing of the matters requiring response,” he said.
He also said technical and political leaders should be given adequate time to explain actions taken, clarify issues that may have arisen before their tenure, and provide supporting records.
“This will uphold the principles of natural justice, strengthen the credibility of the monitoring exercise, protect innocent officers from unfair public exposure, and reduce the risk of avoidable litigation, defamation claims and loss of public funds.”