KAKUMIRO – While other ministers, particularly Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi and his deputy, Justin Namere, in the Ministry of Local Government, are receiving praise from Ugandans across the country for their efforts to expose and fight corruption at the grassroots, some residents of Kakumiro District say they are not convinced by the record of their area representative, Minister for Works Fred Byamukama.
The residents are calling on Minister Byamukama to prove that he is committed to fighting corruption and to respond to allegations surrounding projects allegedly linked to his home area.
Some residents questioned how the minister could take a strong position against corruption while facing allegations concerning the construction and maintenance of roads near his residence.
Ms. Peninah Ahibisibwe, a resident who claims to be a neighbour of Byamukama, questioned why a road leading to the minister’s residence in Kikwaya Trading Centre was allegedly tarmacked by China Wu Yi.
Ahibisibwe’s allegations have not been independently verified by this publication and should be treated as allegations until established by the relevant authorities.
“Minister Byamukama, who claims to be fighting corruption, where did he get permission to have China Wu Yi tarmac a road to his house in Kikwaya Trading Centre? Is that not corruption?” she asked.
She added that the road is approximately half a kilometre long.
Another resident, Lawrence Mugisha, called on the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) to investigate the allegations against the minister and make its findings public.
“I am aware that even H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda took a lot of time before the road to his Rwakitura home was tarmacked. Yet, as President, he could have directed the Ministry of Works immediately to work on the road. We are surprised that Hon. Byamukama, within a short time, got a tarmac road to his home,” he said.
Mugisha also alleged that Ministry of Works road equipment was used to clear bush on land belonging to Byamukama in Rutoma Village, which he claimed measures approximately 100 acres.
“To me, under normal circumstances, if Minister Byamukama were in other countries, he should have resigned, not only from his ministerial position but also as a Member of Parliament,” Mugisha said.
He further alleged that Byamukama went through the parliamentary election unopposed with the help of Anita Annet Among, the former Speaker of Parliament, after the Electoral Commission allegedly disqualified Kisembo James.
The allegations regarding the road works, use of government equipment and electoral process have not been independently verified by this publication.
Right of reply
This publication attempted to seek a comment from Minister Fred Byamukama regarding the allegations but was unsuccessful. His phone was reportedly busy at the time of the attempts to contact him.
The Ankole Times remains open to publishing the minister’s response to the allegations.
