The excitement among the local population over the anti-corruption crusade by the Minister of Local Government, Mr. Balaam Barugahara, is likely to result in many children being named after him.
Every district that Minister Balaam visits, the public excitement to see him and their boldness to confront district officials accused of mismanaging public projects is an indication that the community is tired of suffering from poor services caused by corrupt officials.
In West Nile, I was impressed when the locals themselves demanded the arrest of various officials who failed to account for public funds.
“Hon. Minister, take him, take all of them. We don’t want them,” was the voice of the local community during the anti-corruption crusade in West Nile.
This outreach crusade by Minister Balaam showed that this was what Uganda was lacking. We used to have ministers who sat in their offices, with the official flag rotating behind their chairs, without knowing what was taking place at the grassroots.
I am also now seeing some RDCs waking up to monitor public projects, yet most of them used to dine with corrupt engineers.
Haji Yonus Kakande used to call on RDCs to double their efforts in monitoring and reporting corruption, but many did not take his message seriously. Now they are running up and down.
I want to tell the country that, just give it time. Before the end of this year, very many newborn children are going to bear the name Balaam Barugahara because of the work Balaam has done. Very many health centres that had turned out to be death traps for mothers due to poor services are now back to rendering better services. Out of excitement, some mothers will name their children after Balaam.
It should be noted that ever since Mr. Balaam launched the anti-corruption crusade in Bulambuli, a lot of corruption has been unearthed, several officials have been arrested, and it has made the country understand that President Museveni has actually been doing a lot in this country, but the implementers have been hindering service delivery.
In my own vision, should the anti-corruption crusade continue up to 2031, President Museveni will sweep votes across the country, and even the invalid votes will not be enough to stop him.
I still call upon the public to overwhelmingly support Minister Balaam across the country. Those who are trying to criticise Hon. Balaam’s methods of operation do not love the country.
Long live the Badman General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for identifying Mr. Balaam, and thanks to Mzee Kaguta for appointing him as our Minister of Local Government.
The writer is a senior veteran journalist.
