Nakalema takes anti-corruption fight to schools

FIGHTING CORRUPTION

"Shun corruption and report cases of corruption to the relevant authorities."

This what Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema, the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, told students during a schools debate this week.

Her reasoning is that by inculcating key values such as honesty and transparency in young people, they will grow up to be people with integrity.

Nakalema was at Code High School in Seeta, Mukono district on Monday, where the National Junior Schools Championship Debate on corruption was held.

She talked of the need for young people to be aware of the effects of corruption when they are still in school.

During school election time, students vying for positions of prefectship use items such as sweets to bribe their fellow young voters into supporting them.

It is such acts that Nakalema feels young people should be sensitized against getting involved in.

Nakalema watered a tree plant at the school. She rallied people to conserve the enviornment. (Credit: Francis Emorut)

The anti-corruption champion said corruption has dragged Uganda behind in the context of development, with several social services not adequately reaching the people.

Nakalema urged schools to join the fight against corruption.

Meanwhile, Gasta Kakaire, the co-founder of the National Debate Council, took a swipe at district officials and local leaders who skipped the event despite being invited.

He told Nakalema that if the fight against graft is to be successful, young people should be involved.

Kakaire encouraged districts to encourage school-goers to debate anti-corruption in order to free the country from vice.

Isaac Kigozi, the managing director of East Africa Partners, said corruption needs to be fought using the bottom-up approach.

The head teacher of the debate's host school, Lydia Tushemereirwe, said it is important to teach children good values so that they grow into responsible citizens.

Robert Akena, a pupil of Hulu Primary School, said corruption has become a cancer that should be fought.