At the recently concluded African Conference on Debt and Development held at Hotel Africana in Kampala, former Buliisa County MP Stephen Birahwa Mukitale issued a stinging rebuke of the corruption culture entrenched in Uganda’s governance.
His remarks, both bold and sobering, ignited critical debate on how systemic corruption is suffocating development and accountability in the country.
“You see someone buy a property in Ntinda and pay the balance immediately after the government has passed the national budget,” Mukitale said, drawing murmurs from the audience. “Why should you wait? Because they want to steal.” His comment illustrated how some public officials manipulate budget processes to enrich themselves immediately after funds are released.
Mukitale did not hold back. “Some people are in government not for the salary, but to cut deals,” he remarked. He went further to warn that confronting corrupt power structures can be life-threatening.
“We know where corruption is, but when you deal with it, you can be killed,” he said, painting a grim picture of the risks faced by whistle-blowers and reformists.
His remarks are backed by stark data. Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Uganda 141st out of 180 countries, with a score of just 26 out of 100 reflecting a high level of perceived corruption in public institutions. The problem is not just perception; it’s deeply systemic.
According to the Inspectorate of Government, Uganda loses an estimated Shs 9.1 trillion (roughly US$2.5 billion) annually to corruption a figure that amounts to nearly a quarter of the national budget.
These funds, meant for critical sectors like health, education, and infrastructure, are instead diverted into the pockets of a few.
Public sentiment reflects growing frustration. An Afrobarometer survey found that 66% of Ugandans believe corruption worsened in the past year, while 72% think the government is doing a poor job fighting it.
Even more alarming, 83% said they fear retaliation if they report corrupt acts—highlighting the need for stronger protections for whistle-blowers.
Christine Byiringiro, Program Manager at the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU), echoed Mukitale’s concerns during the conference. “Confronting corruption is vital to unlocking reparations and debt justice. We must explore how corruption intersects with financial injustice in Uganda,” she said.
Adding to the urgency, Ms. Fidelite Nshimiyimana from the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) emphasised, “When we talk about reparations and debt justice, we must confront corruption as a core issue.”
Uganda Debt Network representatives at the conference warned of a disturbing phenomenon they termed “budgeted corruption,” where even before loans are secured, informal agreements are made about who will benefit. This leaves large portions of borrowed funds unaccounted for and chokes off funding for real development.
Mukitale’s rallying call is clear: unless Uganda addresses corruption head-on, dreams of economic justice and development will remain just that—dreams. The country must move from rhetoric to action, protect those who speak out, and restore integrity to public office.