By KT Reporter
Experts have warned that corruption in Uganda has evolved beyond simple acts of bribery and mismanagement; it has become a political machinery shaping who holds power, how government functions, and which services actually reach citizens.
This was the message delivered by religious, academic, and civic leaders during the Anti-Corruption Week commemoration held on Tuesday at Mountains of the Moon Hotel in Fort Portal City. Fr. Pascal Kabura, Director of Uganda Martyrs University Fort Portal Campus, warned that Uganda’s corruption crisis is not merely administrative but deeply rooted in political practices and culture.
“Corruption is politically rooted in how power is gained and maintained at all levels. Political systems, practices, and culture shape accountability outcomes, but when political will is absent, any reform becomes meaningless,” he added. He stressed that although the country has established laws and anti-corruption bodies, enforcement remains weak due to political interference, patronage networks, and the pursuit of power.
Fr. Kabura noted that political patronage has taken firm root in institutions, often overshadowing competence and professionalism in public service. He adds that appointments to key positions, allocation of public contracts, and even access to state resources are now largely determined by loyalty rather than merit, which undermines institutional independence and has eroded citizen trust. Despite the challenges, Fr. Kabura urged Ugandans not to lose hope, adding that Ugandans have the capacity to initiate reform.
His remarks were echoed by Dr. Fredrick Mutabaruka, a Senior Lecturer of Social Sciences at Mountains of the Moon University, who said corruption is embedded in Uganda’s political, administrative, and socio-economic structures. Mutabaruka called for the operationalization of whistleblowers’ protection mechanisms to boost the confidence of whistleblowers, who are a key element in the fight against corruption.
Youth advocate Patrick Amanyire encouraged young Ugandans to stand firm and defend their future but lamented the growing intimidation faced by whistle-blowers and activists. Gilbert Rubaihayo, the Kyenjojo District Chairperson, reiterated that fighting corruption is a shared responsibility for all citizens.
Bunyangabu Deputy CAO Baker Akampurira called for deliberate efforts to instill values of honesty and integrity in children. “We must groom young people to grow into responsible citizens,” he said. Duncan Keith Musumba, the Tooro Kingdom’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, highlighted the powerful role cultural institutions can play in shaping morality and promoting accountability. Musumba noted that since cultural institutions hold people’s trust and respect, they must leverage that authority to champion transparency and ethical behavior in society.
Angela Byangwa, the Executive Director of Rwenzori Anti-Corruption Coalition (RAC), revealed that the region is battling widespread corruption, especially forgery of academic documents used to secure government jobs and diversion of public funds. She revealed that Ntoroko District tops the list with 139 registered cases of corruption, including illegal recruitment, diversion of funds, and irregular payments. Across the Rwenzori sub-region, RAC has handled 2,211 cases, saving an estimated Shs 1.3 billion through monitoring and investigations.
However, Byangwa noted that limited civic awareness, inadequate funding, and weak whistleblower protection mechanisms continue to slow down the anti-corruption fight. According to the Inspectorate of Government, Uganda loses 10 trillion shillings every financial year to corruption, money that could significantly improve service delivery in the country. This year’s Anti-Corruption Day will be marked on December 9, under the theme “Protecting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption.”
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