Uganda’s anti-corruption campaign has received renewed momentum after President Yoweri Museveni publicly backed ongoing enforcement efforts targeting graft within local governments.
State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere said the President endorsed the initiative during a National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus meeting, where he commended recent operations led jointly with Minister for Local Government Balaam Ateenyi.
According to Nameere, the ministers have been conducting field inspections across multiple districts, directly confronting officials accused of mismanaging public funds and abusing office.
The campaign is aimed at dismantling entrenched corruption networks that have long undermined service delivery at the grassroots.
“The President appreciated our efforts towards ending corruption and reaffirmed his support for the crackdown,” Nameere said, positioning the operations within the government’s broader governance and accountability agenda.
She also pointed to growing resistance in areas such as Masaka City, where local leaders have pushed back against the interventions.
Nameere claimed the President criticized individuals opposing the crackdown, linking their resistance to alleged involvement in corrupt practices.
The developments underscore escalating tensions between central government officials and sections of local leadership, particularly in regions where enforcement actions have disrupted established power structures.
Ateenyi has previously defended the approach, arguing that corruption at the local level continues to weaken critical sectors, including infrastructure development, health services, and community programs.
However, the intensified crackdown has drawn scrutiny from governance observers, who warn that anti-corruption efforts must adhere to due process and remain insulated from political influence to maintain credibility.
Uganda has consistently ranked poorly in corruption perception indices, with oversight bodies highlighting persistent accountability gaps across public institutions.
Nameere maintained that the campaign is focused on safeguarding public resources and ensuring government programs deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
She indicated that the operations will continue nationwide, with more officials expected to face investigation as the crackdown widens.