KAMPALA: Following the busting, by a Ugandan newspaper Red Pepper, of an iron sheets scandal involving President Yoweri Museveni’s ministers, a new corruption scandal has rocked the Ugandan government after reports emerged that government ministers have been soliciting bribes from contractors under their dockets.
The contractors, who have been left with no choice but to comply with the ministers’ demands, have now come forward to voice their complaints in secret documents authored by intelligence agencies and aides close to the president.
Intelligence Files has learned that President Yoweri Museveni has been made aware of the allegations and has vowed to take swift action to address the issue. The president has long been known for his hard-line stance against corruption and has set up a special anti-corruption court, and a unit under his office called the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, to investigate and prosecute offenders.
The President is already baffled by the rate at which his pet anti-poverty project, the Parish Development Model (PDM) is being mishandled by local officials who have swindled a lot of money from it. This too is being investigated by intelligence.
According to the contractors who have preferred anonymity to protect their contracts, the unnamed ministers have been asking for significant sums of money in exchange for keeping contracts and other business deals with the government. The amounts of money are said to be delivered every quarter through technocrats who are always under pressure by the ministers to ‘deliver.’ The technocrats in turn squeeze the contractors who have no choice but to oblige in order to keep in business. The bribes are said to have been demanded in a coercive but soft-power manner, leaving the contractors with little choice but to pay up.
A source tells Intelligence Files that some contractors have had to cough in the upwards of $1 million and in the downwards of $30,000 for those with small contracts.
Many of the contractors have expressed their frustration and disappointment with the situation, with some saying that the politicians’ actions have hindered their ability to conduct business effectively. They have called for greater transparency and accountability from government officials, and have quietly urged President Museveni to take strong action against corruption.
For instance, in response to the iron sheets and PDM allegations, the president has promised to investigate the matters thoroughly and has called on those involved to come forward and cooperate with the authorities. He has also assured the public that his government will not tolerate corruption and will take decisive action to root out any wrongdoing.
Furious Ugandans
The scandal is the latest in a string of corruption scandals that have plagued the Ugandan government for decades. Despite previous promises to tackle the problem, corruption has remained a persistent issue in the country, hindering development and eroding public trust in the government.
Many Ugandans are now calling for stronger measures to be taken to address corruption, including the strengthening of anti-corruption laws and the creation of more effective mechanisms for holding officials accountable. The hope is that the recent scandal will serve as a wake-up call to the government and spur action to address the problem once and for all.
President Museveni’s own son who is also his senior advisor for special operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has voiced his concerns in a tweet, saying ministers involved in corruption scandals should lose their jobs.
For years, corruption has been a major issue in Uganda, with high-ranking officials accused of siphoning off funds meant for development projects and aid from international donors. The problem has been so severe that it has often hindered the country’s progress and left many citizens feeling frustrated and disillusioned with their leaders.
However, the recent reports of bribery allegations have brought renewed attention to the issue and sparked a call for action. Some of the contractors who were asked for bribes have bravely come forward to report the incidents to intelligence authorities and President Yoweri Museveni himself.
Despite these efforts, corruption has remained a persistent problem in Uganda, with many officials accused of using their positions of power to enrich themselves and their families. However, the recent allegations and the government’s response to them have given some hope that things may finally be changing and Uganda can finally leave its legacy of corruption behind and move towards a brighter future.
Notable Corruption Scandals that have Rocked Uganda
Here are some of the notable corruption scandals that have plagued the Ugandan government in recent years:
The Global Fund scandal (2005): It was discovered that officials had embezzled millions of dollars in funds intended to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The scandal led to the suspension of millions of dollars in aid to Uganda.
The CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) scandal (2007): The government was accused of spending millions of dollars on extravagances for the summit, including the purchase of luxury cars and the construction of a golf course. The scandal led to protests and calls for accountability.
The Temangalo land scandal (2008): It was revealed that a government minister had used his position to acquire land at below-market prices and then sold it for a significant profit. The scandal led to his resignation and calls for tighter regulation of land deals.
The OPM (Office of the Prime Minister) scandal (2012): It was discovered that officials had embezzled millions of dollars in aid intended for Northern Uganda’s post-conflict recovery. The scandal led to the suspension of millions of dollars in aid to Uganda and the resignation of several officials.
The Katosi road scandal (2014): It was discovered that officials had inflated the cost of a road construction project by millions of dollars, with the excess funds allegedly going to kickbacks for officials. The scandal led to the cancellation of the contract and calls for greater transparency in government contracts.
The pension scam scandal (2018): It was discovered that officials had embezzled billions of shillings from the government’s pension fund, with the funds allegedly being used to buy property and luxury cars. The scandal led to the arrest of several officials and calls for greater oversight of public funds.
These scandals are just a few examples of the pervasive corruption that has long been a problem in Uganda. While there have been efforts to address the issue, it remains a major challenge for the country’s development and progress.