Stop glorifying the corrupt, says Owinyi-Dollo

Deputy Chief Justice, Alfonse Owinyi-Dollo has described the current trend where those who dip their hands in the public purse, live large and throw around their ill-gotten wealth, are embraced by society as one of the biggest impediments to fighting corruption in Uganda.

Owinyi-Dollo also slammed citizens' apathy towards their civic responsibility as evidenced by the low voter turnout at recent elections saying it's responsible for poor leaders slithering their way into key public elective offices.

Owinyi-Dollo made the remarks while presenting a paper to students of Uganda Christian University (UCU), Kampala branch campus at Mengo on Friday.

Under the topic; Relevancy of the law today in regard to the political situation in Uganda and the rest of the world, Owinyi-Dollo canvassed a string of topics related to the law, politics, human rights and governance in Uganda.

"Stop glorifying the corrupt and thieves. Someone embezzles billions meant for drugs or schools and the next thing you hear is that he has been elected a Member of Parliament," Owinyi-Dollo who represented Chief Justice Bart Katurebe said.  

The function was graced by UCU dean faculty of law, Dr Rose Karugunjo and associate dean, Prof. George Kasozi.

According to World Bank reports, Uganda loses over sh1trillion through corruption annually. Various reports have indicated that flawed procurements in government ministries, departments and agencies remain a financial black hole.  

A year ago, President Yoweri Museveni buttressed the Inspectorate of Government and other mechanisms in place for fighting graft by creation of a special unit under State House led by Col Edith Nakalema.

Deputy Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo together with UCU staff and law students after the discussion. Photo by Juliet Kasirye

The legal regime governing the fight against graft has also been amended to provide for tracing and confiscation of property of those convicted of graft.

Earlier, Owinyi-Dollo had taken a swipe at Ugandans, who eschew their civic responsibility, including voting, saying the country they call home will veer off course unless they do their part.

Civic responsibility, Owinyi-Dollo said also entails citizens holding elected leaders accountable by voting out those they feel have not performed.

"Nothing will be done if you continue folding your arms saying elections will not change anything. Elections will not change anything if you continue with that kind of apathy," Owinyi-Dollo said.

Former US president, Barack Obama defied odds by tapping into a grass root citizen's movement to win the presidency in 2008.

Owinyi-Dollo told his youthful audience that Obama's feat is possible in Uganda if citizens embrace their civic responsibility.

Election Commission data from the last three elections indicates that voter turnout at each subsequent election cycle has continued to tumble.

Those who shun the ballot have always raised the spectre of their will not being respected.

Regarding the essence of his presentation, Owinyi-Dollo warned against impunity and trashing of the law, saying all ancient civilizations ultimately collapsed when they took that path.

"The law is the foundation of all progressive societies. If we submerge the law to our individual interests, we sit on a powder keg that will explode anytime," Owinyi-Dollo said.

Of late Uganda Law Society (ULS) has taken a dim view of the increasing incidents of accused people granted bail by courts of law getting arrested immediately within the precincts of the court, bundled into vans and driven to unknown destinations.

ULS president, Simon Peter Kinobe has warned that the trend threatens to grossly erode the rule of law and undercut Ugandans' confidence in courts.