Opinion: As Anti-Corruption Crusaders, We Should Have A Clear End Goal To Avoid Infiltration By Wrong Elements

By Gerald Baganzi

On Wednesday 24th July, I together with other anti-corruption crusaders met and held a deep discussion with the Senior Presidential Advisor on Anti-corruption Colonel Edith Nakalema at her offices along Lumumba Avenue. Key on the agenda was the need to address the concerns of the majority Ugandans genuinely fed up of corruption. We have very good laws against corruption on top of the many anti-corruption agencies, why are we failing then?

Reports indicate that 23% of our budget is lost to corruption every financial year, the question should be WHERE? WHEN? HOW?. If we digest this, then a lasting solution would be found. We are all determined to fight corruption, we may only differ on approach but if we sit and agree on the same end goal then a clear strategy can be laid out.

We lose most of the money to fraudulent procurement and budgeting processes, President Museveni the other day ordered the arrest of members of Parliament involved in budget fraud, was this action enough NO, but it is commendable and one that reaffirms his commitment to the cause. Budget fraud is as bad as procurement fraud. More stringent measures should be put in place to limit the same including tough punishment for all those found guilty.

As young people, we need to interest ourselves so much in the budgeting processes not only at national level but at local or district level. Are the monies sent to different institutions public or private used for the intended purposes, and are procurement processes followed? All this information is weaponry for serious anti-corruption crusaders.

Armed with all this necessary information, it would now be our task to put the government under pressure to take action on all individuals who abuse offices, which information most young people have I believe. Like the Bible says in Hebrews, “Let us not neglect our meeting together as some people do”.

Meeting to dialogue and streamline our agenda for the fight against corruption, which fight is universal because corruption doesn’t only affect the young but everyone else doesn’t only energize but helps to arm all crusaders with necessary information and tools towards our genuine cause.

It is therefore our humble appeal to SPA Anti-corruption Colonel Edith Nakalema to go ahead and organize a day where the young and old will freely express themselves. I believe solutions will be found and action will be taken.

In the meantime, I call upon all young people to stay calm, when you pour out on the streets a genuine cause will be hijacked by self-seekers. The solution remains in a structured dialogue

Till then, I remain, Gerald Baganzi, (baganzig@gmail.com / 0705975408)a