Kigezi Leaders Back Balaam’s Anti-Corruption Push, Demand Recovery of Funds

Leaders across the Kigezi sub-region have expressed mixed reactions following a high-profile anti-corruption campaign led by State Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara. The drive, which ran from October 23 to October 28 across districts including Rukiga, Kabale, and Rukungiri, saw the minister order the interdiction of roughly 200 civil servants over graft allegations and hand cases over to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.

While some officials lauded the intervention as a much-needed push for accountability, others voiced concerns regarding due process, service delivery gaps, and the ultimate recovery of swindled money. Kabale Municipality Mayor Sentaro Byamugisha welcomed the visit, noting that it helped clear the names of politicians falsely accused by opponents and brought transparency to contentious local issues, such as the allocation of lockup shops at the Kabale Central Market.

However, civil society and local council representatives pointed out potential procedural shortcomings. Rukiga District Council Speaker Oscar Akampurira noted that while public exposés draw quick attention, they risk fueling malicious community hatred if accused individuals are not given adequate platforms to defend themselves. He called for speedy investigations so that any wrongfully implicated workers can quickly resume their duties.

Concerns were also raised regarding the sudden vacuum left by the mass interdictions. Kanungu District Council Speaker Frank Byaruhanga revealed that local leaders plan to petition the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Local Government for guidance on filling critical administrative roles, such as the Chief Administrative Officer, to prevent service delivery from grinding to a halt.

Civil society voices emphasized that the campaign must yield tangible financial results and formal legal accountability. Daniel Eguma, Executive Director of the Kigezi Human Rights Foundation, argued that the public needs to see concrete figures regarding recovered funds and formal court prosecutions, rather than just viral social media videos of suspects.

Read more about this story in the Daily Monitor.