“Leaders Should Support President Museveni In The Struggle Against Corruption” Says Gen Otafiire

In a powerful call to action, Minister of Internal Affairs Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has urged political leaders and government department heads to unite behind President Yoweri Kaguta’s efforts to eradicate corruption, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in this fight. Addressing the first annual coordination meeting between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) at CID Headquarters in Kibuli, General Otafiire lamented the fact that corruption has been undermining government efforts since 1986, expressing concern that President Museveni has been shouldering the burden of this fight alone.

Otafiire stressed that the fight against corruption is a national duty that requires active support from all leaders, urging them to step up and join the cause. “We have this existential threat to national integrity and development, which is corruption. I find it difficult that it’s only the President blowing the clarion call to fight corruption when the rest of us in leadership are silent. I call upon my colleague leaders and political leaders to stand up and support the President in fighting against corruption,” he said.

Otafiire emphasized the importance of speaking out against corruption, even if it doesn’t immediately lead to significant change. He also urged CID officers to engage in internal reflection, acknowledge their faults, and strive for perpetual improvement, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency.

Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), echoed Otafiire’s sentiments, assuring the President that their efforts are focused on ensuring a corruption-free institution. “Your Excellence, we are focused on the war against corruption and terrorism, working on cases of payrolls and cooperatives. We must have progressed by the end of this month, as we believe that if we don’t prosecute clear corruption cases, we shall be building a culture of impunity,” she said.

The appeal from the two leaders comes at a critical time when corruption is proving to be a significant challenge for President Museveni’s government, with whistle-blowers exposing corruption cases across various government departments, ministries, and even within Parliament. The need for collective action and accountability has never been more pressing, and the call to action from Otafiire and Abodo is a step in the right direction towards eradicating corruption and promoting good governance.