Former Busiro County East MP Medard Lubega Ssegona has cast doubt on President Yoweri Museveni’s latest pledge to fight corruption, arguing that similar commitments in the past have yielded limited results.
Speaking during an appearance on UBC Uganda on Wednesday night, Ssegona said the President’s renewed vow should be assessed against his track record, which he described as inconsistent.
“This is now the ninth time he is making an undertaking or pledge to Ugandans. If, in your judgement, you believe he has been scoring 80 or 90 percent, then you are right to trust him again this time,” Ssegona said.
His remarks come just days after Museveni, during his swearing-in ceremony for a new term, promised a tougher stance on corruption, declaring that the next phase of his leadership would prioritise accountability and proper use of public resources.
However, Ssegona challenged that narrative, warning that repeated pledges without tangible outcomes risk eroding public confidence.
“I do not want to judge him entirely by the past. But if I have to, then he has miserably failed. Part of it may be inherent and internal, while another part could be the people surrounding him,” he added.
The former legislator pointed to systemic weaknesses within government institutions and questioned whether the President has the political will to address corruption at the highest levels.
He suggested that entrenched interests within the administration could be undermining anti-corruption efforts.
Ssegona’s critique reflects a broader debate in Uganda, where corruption remains a persistent concern despite ongoing government assurances and periodic crackdowns.
Museveni has previously called on citizens to play a role in exposing graft and ensuring that government programmes, such as poverty alleviation initiatives, benefit intended recipients.
He has also maintained that decisive action would be taken against individuals found culpable.
But analysts note that enforcement has often been selective, with critics arguing that high-profile cases rarely lead to sustained accountability.
Ssegona emphasised that for the latest pledge to gain credibility, it must be backed by concrete actions, including independent investigations and prosecution of those implicated, regardless of their status.