Politics 16 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
End Selective Corruption Prosecutions for Credibility
President Museveni's pledge to combat corruption in his new term faces skepticism due to past selective prosecutions. For the pledge to be credible, all anti-corruption agencies must adopt an indiscriminate approach to law enforcement. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/editorial/govt-should-be-indiscriminate-in-prosecuting-graft-5461202
President Yoweri Museveni’s recent declaration of his new term as “term no sleep” and “term no corruption” has been met with considerable public skepticism. This doubt stems from a history of high-profile corruption scandals and, more crucially, the inconsistent application of justice.
Recent years have seen numerous allegations of significant financial malfeasance, including the notorious iron sheet scandal, theft of funds for the Karamoja Peace Initiative, and fraudulent transfers from the Bank of Uganda. Despite these widespread accusations, the prosecution of those implicated has been far from uniform.
The handling of the iron sheet scandal, where over 34 government officials were implicated but only one faced prosecution, exemplifies this issue. Many were allowed to return the stolen items without charges, while others faced partial or no legal action. This selective approach undermines the rule of law and sends a dangerous message to those engaging in corrupt practices.
For the President’s anti-corruption drive to be effective and credible, agencies like the Directorate of Public Prosecution, the Inspectorate of Government, and the Anti-Corruption Unit must move away from selective prosecution. A truly “term no corruption” initiative requires equal treatment before the law for all citizens, regardless of their position.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)