Renowned human rights activist Clinton Mirrors Ampaire has offered a critical perspective on President Yoweri Museveni’s recent statement regarding the intensified fight against corruption. President Museveni’s strong stance, asserting that the fight against corruption is not as challenging as perceived and vowing to cause “a lot of casualties among the corrupt people,” has drawn attention and scrutiny from Ampaire.
Ampaire, known for his advocacy in championing human rights and transparent governance, expressed skepticism about the President’s commitment, pointing to past instances where similar pledges were made without substantial progress. He highlighted the need for consistency and a fair approach in combating corruption.
“While we acknowledge the urgency to address corruption, it’s essential to critically examine past actions and outcomes,” Ampaire stated. “President Museveni has issued strong statements against corruption before, yet we haven’t witnessed significant improvements. The key is not just making bold statements but ensuring that actions match the rhetoric.”
Ampaire further drew attention to the potential pitfalls of targeting only minor cases of corruption while leaving serious offenders untouched. “There has been a pattern of going after low-level corruption cases while serious allegations within the government remain unaddressed. It’s crucial to have a comprehensive and impartial approach that holds all wrongdoers accountable, regardless of their positions.”
The human rights activist expressed concern about the potential consequences of the language used by President Museveni, particularly the mention of causing “casualties” among corrupt individuals. “The use of such strong language raises red flags about the adherence to due process and the rule of law. A fair and transparent process is essential in upholding human rights standards.”
Ampaire called for a genuine commitment to tackling corruption at all levels, emphasizing the importance of involving independent institutions and ensuring a thorough investigation into allegations. “The fight against corruption requires a systematic and unbiased approach. We must avoid the pitfalls of selective enforcement and focus on eradicating corruption at its roots.”
As Uganda awaits the unfolding of President Museveni’s intensified anti-corruption efforts, Ampaire urged vigilance from civil society, the media, and the public to scrutinize the implementation of these measures.