Nakalema asks teachers to take lead in fight against corruption

CORRUPTION

The head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Lt. Col Edith Nakalema has asked teachers from private schools to take a leading role in the fight against corruption.

"We entrust you with our children, you need to shape their morals and integrity from a tender age to turn them into responsible people of society, "said Nakalema

While making a presentation titled "combating corruption" during a patriotism training for private school teachers at Kaazi camping ground, Nakalema stressed that teachers are the nation game-changer, with a critical role of building, developing, and shaping the future generation.

"You must guard what has been put in your care, ensure that, what you say is beneficial to them because they look at you as ambassadors and want to follow your path, "she said

She observed that currently, the moral fibers are entirely rotten noting that the teachers have the responsibility of building the moral fibers. 

The very anxious teachers complained to Nakalema how they have suffered due to Covid-19 and entirely lost hope in government.

They however said they regained hope when president Museveni promised to give them a grant for their SACCO only to realise the money was embezzled, something they said has caused total dissatisfaction.

Nakalema in her response, promised to write to the ministry of education regarding the matter to ensure that the money for the teachers is recovered.

President Museveni promised a sh22b grant to over 300,000 teachers working with private schools to help them cope with the Covid-19 situation.

However, up to now, teachers are questioning the whereabouts of the grant that was promised by the President.

Nakalema told the teachers that her office is ready to handle the culprits saying investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The teachers also reported to Nakalema how police officers who are the major partner in the fight against corruption are taking lead in spreading the vice.

One teacher from Mbale who preferred anonymity said that despite the fact that police bond is free of charge, this is the opposite in her area of operation.

"The young generation now thinks that for anybody to get released from police custody, he or she has to pay for police bond, "she said.

Nakalema in her response said they should always report such people so that they are dealt with accordingly.

She also promised to initiate the summoning of police officers from Kimwanyi police post in Makerere who the teachers say have lined up a team of gangs that they deal with in stealing.

"I am going to ensure that all the officers under that station are summoned to answer the allegations put to them, "asserted Nakalema.

According to Nakalema, corruption has been identified by the World Bank as the number one obstacle to the development of countries.

The UN University module series indicate that the impact of corruption on National Development can be seen in undermining UN Sustainable Development Goals SDGs whose aim is leaving no one behind in terms of development in addition to economic loss and inefficiency at various levels.

She explained that in the last two years of her Unit, they have recovered about sh23.12b with 247 culprits arrested, 24 convicted and sentenced, with 185 public officers interdicted.