Kasambya County MP and Patriotic League Uganda (PLU) Secretary General Daudi Kabanda has called for stricter enforcement of anti-corruption laws, insisting that Uganda must move beyond symbolic arrests and ensure all suspects are prosecuted and convicted without selective application of justice.
His remarks come after President Yoweri Museveni, in his State of the Nation Address, reaffirmed his commitment to intensify the fight against corruption in his new term.
Kabanda said the success of that pledge would depend on whether institutions deliver consistent convictions rather than high-profile arrests that do not lead to deterrence.
He also referenced Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s announcement on the launch of “Operation Maliza Ufisadi,” which is expected to support broader government efforts to clamp down on corruption in public service.
In his statement, Kabanda warned against what he termed as performative anti-corruption actions that do not result in meaningful punishment.
“If we’re serious about fighting corruption, we can’t stop at exciting the public with House arrests and headlines,” he said.
He added that the absence of firm convictions weakens anti-graft campaigns and discourages reformers working within the system.
“People must be prosecuted and convicted so everyone learns the lesson. This habit of forgiving, only for them to fight us again later demoralizes every anti-corruption crusader,” Kabanda stated.
Kabanda further questioned perceived inconsistencies in enforcement, arguing that the law must be applied uniformly regardless of the magnitude of the offence or the status of the accused.
“You can’t convict Nandutu over 300 iron sheets, then forgive the one who stole the entire economy. The law must apply equally big or small fish,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when Uganda is intensifying its anti-corruption messaging amid growing public pressure for accountability across government institutions.
Civil society actors and analysts have repeatedly called for stronger prosecution systems, asset recovery reforms, and greater judicial independence to ensure lasting results.