As a journalist who has spent years covering the corridors of power and the dusty villages where government programmes are supposed to deliver, I have seen it all—promises made, funds allocated, and then vanishing into thin air. I have interviewed widows in Gulu who never received their PDM money, farmers in Mbale whose cooperative funds were embezzled, and youth in Kampala who gave up on government empowerment programmes. For decades, I have watched corruption rob Ugandans of their dignity and their future.
Today, for the first time in my career, I see genuine reason for cautious optimism. The appointment of Ministers Balaam Barugahara and Justine Namere to the Local Government docket, alongside the muscular intervention of CDF General Muhoozi Kainerugaba through “Operation Maliza Ufisadi,” represents the most aggressive and credible assault on corruption I have witnessed in my three decades of journalism.
From my vantage point, the “Stock Empya” (New Stock) mantra is not mere political sloganeering. When Minister Barugahara convenes meetings in Isingiro, Buhweju, and Mbarara and promptly interdicts over 20 technical staff, including Chief Administrative Officers and town clerks, this is not theatre. This is accountability with teeth. I have covered similar meetings under previous ministers where officials were merely “warned” and sent back to their desks. The difference today is palpable—there is genuine fear among accounting officers that their jobs and freedom are on the line.
I must be honest: I was initially sceptical. When President Museveni appointed Barugahara, a youthful minister with entertainment industry roots, I wondered if this was another case of style over substance. But watching him engage technical staff with forensic detail about budget lines and procurement irregularities has changed my mind. The man knows his brief and, more importantly, he is not afraid to act.
What truly convinced me was Minister Namere’s handling of the incident involving a fellow minister who attempted to secure the release of a suspect accused of stealing PDM and Emyooga funds. In my years of reporting, I have seen such phone calls from “big people” lead to investigations being mysteriously dropped. Namere’s refusal—and her directive that the minister must stand surety for the suspect—was a watershed moment. It told every corrupt official that the old boys’ network has been dismantled.
This is the kind of political will Ugandans have been craving. It signals that the intended beneficiaries—the ordinary taxpayers who fund these programmes through their sweat—will no longer suffer while a few fat cats feast on public resources.
Let me speak plainly about General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. His “Operation Maliza Ufisadi” has injected a level of fear that civilian institutions alone could not achieve. The military’s involvement raises legitimate constitutional questions, and as a journalist, I must point that out. However, I cannot ignore the results. When the CDF warns that virtually anyone except the President and First Lady can be arrested under this operation, and then proceeds to launch high-profile probes—including into the former Speaker of Parliament—it signals that no one is untouchable.
His decision to take direct control of Kampala’s road infrastructure budget is controversial but necessary. For decades, I have watched Kampala residents suffer through flooding and crumbling roads while billions of shillings were allocated and stolen. If the military can fix what civilian institutions have failed to do, perhaps we need to reconsider our rigid separation of roles. The ends, in this case, may justify the means.
As a journalist, it is my duty to ask hard questions even when praising progress. I have three concerns that I believe Ugandans must keep in mind:
First, this approach must not become a one-off blitz that fades away. Corruption is a hydra-headed monster; cutting off one head without systemic reforms will allow others to grow. The Inspectorate of Government’s new five-year strategic plan and the decentralisation of ombudsman functions are welcome moves, but they must be adequately resourced.
Second, due process must be respected. We cannot replace one form of lawlessness with another. The interdicted officials deserve fair hearings, and the courts must be allowed to function independently. As a journalist, I will be watching closely to ensure that this campaign does not degenerate into a witch-hunt.
Third, we must strengthen prevention alongside punishment. The new performance measures for public servants, including annual contract renewals based on results, are positive steps. But we also need to address systemic issues—low pay for civil servants, weak procurement laws, and a culture of impunity that has taken root over decades.
From my experience covering this country’s governance for over 30 years, I urge Ugandans to embrace this approach while remaining vigilant. Give credit where it is due—these leaders are putting their political capital on the line. They are making enemies in high places by taking on entrenched corruption cartels.
But do not become complacent. Hold them accountable. Demand regular updates on investigations and prosecutions. Insist on transparency in how recovered funds are managed. And, most importantly, continue to report corruption cases through the available channels.
In my professional assessment, the Balaam-Namere-Muhoozi approach is the best chance Ugandans have had in years to defeat the corruption monster. Taxpayers are already seeing results—funds are reaching intended beneficiaries, and corrupt officials are looking over their shoulders. The message is clear: the era of impunity is ending.
As former Minister John Mulimba correctly observed, this crackdown has given “relief to millions of Ugandans who had hitherto been suffocated.” I agree. But I add this: relief must be sustained. The fight has just begun, and we must all play our part citizens, the media, and leaders alike.
About the Author: Ronald Alele is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience in investigative reporting and political analysis. He has covered governance and anti-corruption issues across Uganda. For more insights and analysis, contact him at 0780917095.
