By Ojede Ziegler Bobson

I would like to categorically bring to the attention of the head of state and fellow Ugandans that there are people who should be really punished in this country to stop corruption.

This is so because corruption has killed many Ugandans more than the covid-19 Pandemic. Corruption is not only a vice but also a crime and an evil because it completely robs the citizens of their fundamental rights to obtain adequate service delivery and goods meant for them.

This week, radio stations, social media and newspapers broadcasted and published names of high-ranking ministers suspected to have picked several iron sheets {gauge 28} from OPM which shocked the nation.

The Iron Sheets of G-28 and pre-painted were meant for vulnerable households, interest groups, and institutions among others.

My independent opinion.

I think the president should set up an independent body to take over the matter so that no stone is left unturned.

In most cases, the absence of checks and balances that are vibrant and functional should be instituted without fear and favour so that justice for the common poor person in Karamoja and other regions of Uganda is realized.

I would like to appreciate the Karamoja Parliamentary group for unearthing the suspected mess in OPM iron sheet distribution which sparked topics of discussion in the country.

Their complaint was on the right track and was in line with the oversight roles of members of parliament.

However, since the UPDF are disciplined security force, I request  H.E  the president of Uganda, General Yoweri Museveni Kaguta, to set up a counter-corruption intelligence team so that they monitor the work of the IGG and the State House-Anti Corruption Unit.

This team can report specifically and directly to the president including compiling reports on senior government officials and reporting independent cases of suspected embezzlement in offices of government officials and ministers who are untouchable.

Some people’s personal accounts have to be audited [under a forensic audit system] including high-ranking ministers and commissioners who are suspected to be opening Bank accounts in the names of their children and relatives to save suspected stolen government funds.

There are big officials and people in high-ranking government positions who are degrading environments by trading in charcoal, logs and timber illegally but nobody is touching them because they have their God Fathers in Kampala and Entebbe.

This is against sustainable development goal 17 which talks about ‘environmental issues are key to a better future’’

Summary

The suspected iron sheets theft under OPM in Karamoja where some leaders are implicated must be a lesson to some people that when you are entrusted into a public office, you should not abuse.

Government should set up a State House Anti-corruption Unit Zonal office in all the 18 zones of Uganda to allow people to physically report corrupt officials with hard copies of documents, especially in the four greater regions of Uganda example; Western, Northern, Eastern Central and Southern region respectively to help fight corruption regionally.

Ojede Ziegler Bobson Email –  ojedeziegbo@gail.com

Tel-   0772 321371 / 0774774310

The writer is an NRM Vice chairperson Aspirant for Northern Uganda.