Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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Minister of local government Balaam Barugahara, has urged Parliament to amend local government laws to allow faster disciplinary action against errant officials, warning that the current six‑month interdiction process is ineffective in curbing corruption and poor service delivery.
Speaking before legislators, Barugahara argued that the lengthy procedures embolden corrupt officials and frustrate government programmes. He emphasized that ministers should be empowered to act directly and swiftly against misconduct to restore accountability in local governments.
Syndicated Graft in Bulambuli
The minister cited shocking cases from Bulambuli District as evidence of entrenched graft. These included:
• A UGX 73 million pit latrine project constructed without a pit.
• Road works where laboratory tests revealed zero murram, despite funds being allocated.
Barugahara described these incidents as examples of “syndicated corruption,” where officials collude to defraud government projects, leaving citizens without essential services.
Call for Legal Reform
He noted that the existing six‑month interdiction process delays justice and allows corrupt officials to continue manipulating systems. “We cannot wait half a year while communities suffer from failed projects,” he stressed, urging Parliament to amend the laws to shorten disciplinary timelines and strengthen ministerial oversight.
Barugahara’s reform push aligns with his wider anti‑corruption agenda, which includes:
• Rotation of officers to break entrenched networks.
• Biometric attendance systems to curb absenteeism.
• Direct ministerial intervention in cases of syndicated graft.
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