Veteran Journalist Andrew Mwenda has cast doubt on President Yoweri Museveni’s renewed commitment to fight corruption, arguing that past experience shows a disconnect between the president’s rhetoric and actual implementation.
Speaking during an interview on UBC Uganda on Wednesday night, Mwenda reacted to Museveni’s swearing-in speech in which the president declared a new push against corruption and called on citizens to ensure accountability in government programmes.
Mwenda acknowledged Museveni’s ability to communicate a compelling vision but questioned whether that vision translates into tangible outcomes.
“One thing I have learnt from President Museveni over the years is that there is often a huge gap between what he says and what he does. When speaking, he is inspiring. When acting, it can be frustrating,” Mwenda said.
His remarks come just days after Museveni pledged to usher in a phase of “no more corruption,” linking the fight against graft to the success of key government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model.
However, Mwenda argued that the president’s track record raises concerns about execution, pointing to systemic challenges within government structures.
“The challenge Museveni has faced, and where I think he has exhibited abysmal performance, is that he has allowed bureaucratic inertia to take control of his vision,” he said.
According to Mwenda, Uganda’s public sector is structured in a way that prioritizes adherence to procedures over delivering measurable results, which in turn undermines reform efforts.
“Our government is built around accountability to procedure rather than results,” he added, suggesting that this culture has slowed progress in tackling corruption and implementing development programmes.
The Journalist’s critique highlights a broader debate on governance in Uganda, where anti-corruption pledges have featured prominently in official speeches but often face skepticism from sections of the public and policy observers.
Museveni, who has now begun another term in office, emphasized citizen involvement as a key pillar in addressing corruption, urging Ugandans to monitor public projects and ensure resources are not misused.