Economic greed 'disease' killing Uganda’s future — Muntu

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Economic greed among top leaders is systematically eroding the nation’s democratic prospects, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential flag-bearer Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu has said. 

“We are not here to solve political grievances in one sense but to construct for the nation a structure where we can systematically address all aspects of life and fight poverty, social injustices, poor quality education, poor health standards of living that guarantees a future for all of us to co-exist,” Muntu, who is hoping to be elected into power come January 2026, says.

Muntu, who was addressing a campaign rally at Serere township village, Kakus ward, Serere town council in Serere district on November 18, 2025, said selfish accumulation of wealth by senior government officials has become a “disease” that is cunningly sabotaging Uganda’s future.

“For a long time, I have seen greed and corruption taking the toll of a number of senior leaders and I knew that they were going to make many mistakes along the way,” he said.

That’s the reason why I turned down a ministerial post that [President] Gen. [Yoweri] Museveni had offered me after deciding to take a new path from the army where I had served as the top commander for nine years, he confirmed.

Dating back to his active‑service years, Muntu, who revealed the pattern of greed for over three decades, recounted how many senior leaders have amassed questionable fortunes, often citing “corruption” as the primary engine behind their wealth.

“It does not make sense for people to boast of prosperity for all and individual gains when they are plotting to kill each other due to unexplained accumulation of wealth when the taxpayers do not have drugs in health centres, when their children cannot access quality education and when many are sleeping hungry due to food insecurity,” Muntu wondered.

According to Muntu, true development of a nation is seen not in the physical infrastructure seen with eyes on the surface but the empowerment of citizens to have the capacity to work and solve challenges without necessarily being affiliated to any government official, a relative or any social class constructed for any purpose.

“How can citizens keep voting for a government due to money handouts and empty favours, which, after neglecting them; left, right and centre for not only 10 years, 20 years or even 30 years in power?” Muntu said.

Those believing have problems 

Muntu, who had no kind words to persuade voters to his side, faulted voters for taking the Opposition leaders’ message for granted, thinking that they are fighting for their own stomachs.

“For 40 years, NRM leaders have been telling lies claiming that they shall change your lives, but it never happens and they keep coming to ask for your votes and continue exploiting you for more than five years,” he emphasised.

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics 2024 reported that absolute poverty fell from over 60 % in the early 1990s to about 20 % just before the COVID‑19 pandemic, yet inequality has risen sharply.

Muntu warned that the monetisation of politics not only undermines electoral integrity but also fuels a cycle of corruption that drains public resources.

In rural areas like Teso, where subsistence farming dominates, communities struggle with poor infrastructure, limited market access, and youth unemployment. Many youths express disillusionment, noting that political office has become a business venture rather than a public service.

“We are heading on a slippery road where Uganda is heading with growing frustrations from the public,” he insisted.

“Leaders are more focused on recovering their ‘investments’ than addressing our basic needs,” said one farmer from Soroti, who preferred anonymity.

Muntu urged a radical rethinking of Uganda’s political culture, advocating for merit‑based appointments, robust anti‑corruption measures, and civic education to restore integrity in governance.

He also called for strengthening institutions such as the Inspectorate of Government and the Auditor General to ensure accountability.