“If Kutomera Is What Will End Corruption Let Them Be”-Museveni Breaks Silence On Balaam, Nameere ‘Operations’

By Swift Reporter 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has backed the ongoing field inspection tours by Ministers David Barugahara and Phiona Nyamutoro Nameere, saying their direct engagement with citizens is helping expose corruption that has remained hidden within government systems.

In a statement addressed to Ugandans, particularly the younger generation, Museveni dismissed concerns that the ministers could be “Kutomera” — a Luganda expression referring to blindly bumping into issues without proper knowledge — during their field engagements.

The President said the scale and frequency of corruption reported by citizens make such concerns misplaced, arguing that the ministers are responding to longstanding complaints from the public.

Museveni said corruption became a major issue even during his recent campaigns, forcing him to interrupt campaign activities to address complaints from citizens, particularly concerning the Parish Development Model (PDM).

He also recalled meeting elders from Bunyoro who raised concerns about alleged corruption involving the sale of local government jobs.

According to the President, there have also been numerous reports concerning alleged “ghost” learners and teachers in government schools, as well as irregularities involving government health centres.

Museveni Calls for Dedicated DPP Officer

Museveni said the challenge now is to ensure that evidence gathered during the field engagements is quickly assessed and taken through the justice system.

He called on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to consider assigning a dedicated officer to rapidly examine the evidence emerging from the anti-corruption operations and facilitate prosecution where criminal wrongdoing is established.

“The main problems on the issue of corruption have been two: the cover up by the responsible officials that should be protecting national interests and the failure to report by the elite that have access to the decision-making centres,” Museveni said.

The President argued that going directly to citizens through public gatherings, or Barazas, has enabled the ministers to bypass what he described as barriers created by elements within the elite who shield corrupt officials.

President Praises Whistleblowers

Museveni also highlighted the role of patriotic government officials and citizens who are willing to expose corruption.

He cited Hon. Byamukama as an example, saying he had reported a racket involving alleged extortionists operating within State House.

Museveni said the suspects were subsequently trapped and arrested after the matter was brought to his attention.

The President maintained that corruption can be stopped if government officials refuse to cover up wrongdoing and citizens report cases to the relevant authorities.

“Do not cover-up if you are a Government officer and report if you are a citizen,” he urged.

Museveni Recalls Earlier Anti-Corruption Efforts

The President also revealed that he had previously tasked former Minister Raphael Magyezi with following up on corruption complaints raised by citizens.

Museveni said Magyezi visited some of the affected areas, but suggested that decisive action had not been taken on all the complaints.

He contrasted this with the response to the current field engagements by Barugahara and Nameere, saying the ministers’ approach has generated strong public enthusiasm.

According to Museveni, large numbers of citizens are voluntarily attending the ministers’ public meetings, which he said reminds him of the early days of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

He noted that during those early years, large crowds would attend public meetings without being provided with incentives such as food, water or hired tents.

Museveni said the current public response demonstrates that citizens are eager to see action taken against corruption and other problems affecting government service delivery.

The President’s remarks come as the government faces renewed calls for stronger accountability and faster action against officials accused of mismanaging public resources.

He urged both government officials and citizens to play their part in the fight against corruption, emphasizing that exposing wrongdoing and ensuring that credible evidence reaches prosecutors are critical to holding offenders accountable.

“This corruption in Uganda is stoppable,” Museveni said.