PRESIDENT MUSEVENI

President Yoweri Museveni has called on Uganda’s judiciary to classify corruption as a non-bailable offense, underscoring the need for stringent measures against graft as the nation prepares for the 2026 elections.

Addressing a cabinet retreat at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, Museveni emphasized the necessity of judicial support in denying bail for those accused of serious crimes, including corruption. “We should easily defeat corruption. The only support we need from the judiciary is no bail for those accused of murder, treason, terrorism, rape, defilement, corruption (embezzlement), and village thefts if the prosecution is ready for trial,” Museveni stated.

He stressed the importance of a unified approach in tackling corruption, stating, “With a correct, revolutionary, and objective approach, we should easily defeat corruption.”

In his opening remarks, Museveni highlighted the severity of corruption in Uganda, citing Inspectorate of Government (IGG) estimates that the country loses Shs 9.7 trillion annually due to corruption. “This is not acceptable,” he declared.

Museveni has previously used IGG figures to illustrate the extent of corruption but faced criticism for creating parallel institutions that may weaken the IGG’s office. His recent establishment of a unit to close revenue leakages and boost tax collection, led by Senior Presidential Advisor David Kalemera, a tax fraud convict, has attracted further scrutiny.

Without directly referencing Kalemera, Museveni explained that he created these parallel structures because accounting officers had failed to combat corruption effectively. “Apart from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, I am also setting up both a tax investigation unit and an accountancy and audit unit. They will be able to investigate all tax evasions, under-declarations, money diverted by parliament and stolen, etc.,” he said.

Museveni criticized Parliament for irregularly reallocating over Shs 3.7 trillion in the past four financial years, accusing it of sabotage. He stated that these new structures aim to directly connect with victims of government corruption, whom he referred to as the Wanainchi (ordinary citizens).

He highlighted the different attitudes of young professionals from Kampala Parents School, contrasting them with current accounting officers who he described as having a “careerist and mercenary mentality.” According to Museveni, these young professionals are driven more by “passion” than “remuneration.”

Museveni identified two main dimensions of corruption: the theft of government funds and the taking of bribes for public services, and employee disloyalty in private companies. He emphasized that both forms of corruption harm the country’s economic development and stressed the need for accountability.

He urged the police to ensure that individuals stealing from both government and private companies are held accountable, including repaying stolen money and serving prison sentences.

Regarding MPs’ salaries, Museveni acknowledged that he opposed but did not block their increases, believing it was sometimes better to allow mistakes for learning purposes. He explained that this approach was intended to preserve the unity of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and address broader regional and military challenges.

Museveni concluded that MPs have since learned from their mistakes, noting that fundraising has become unpopular among them.