Minister pins officials over corruption

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Responsibility. Fr Lokodo says it’s the duty of every citizen to combat corruption.

Kabarole. The State minister of Ethics and Integrity, Fr Simon Lokodo, has pinned Kabarole District chairman Richard Rwabuhinga and the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Dustan Baraba over alleged corruption.
“The Kabarole boss and your CAO have a case to answer. I want you to explain how the Shs18 million meant for the Luweero-Rwenzori Triangle was used,” Fr Lokodo said.
He was addressing a congregation on Tuesday at Buhinga Playground in Fort Portal Town, Kabarole District, during the regional commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day organised by Rwenzori Anti-corruption Coalition (RAC), an anti-graft NGO.

When contacted on Wednesday, to respond to the allegation, Mr Baraba referred this reporter to the district planner, Mr Sam Koojo Mugume, who said: “... The district received the money, procedures were followed and the money was released to the sub-county chief. The sub-county chief in turn deposited it on the beneficiaries’ accounts,” Mr Mugume explained.

Reflecting on this year’s theme for the commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day “Reject and Report Corruption; Your Responsibility,” Lokodo said it is in line with Article 17(1)(i) e of the Constitution, which makes it the duty of every citizen of Uganda to combat corruption and misuse of public resources.
“In a bid to scale up and guide Uganda’s struggle against all forms, causes and adverse effects of corruption, the Directorate for Ethics and integrity under that auspice of inter-Agency Forum (IAF) for the fight against corruption is in advanced stages of developing a zero tolerance to corruption policy,” he said.
He said that the main purpose of zero tolerance is to involve all stakeholders to actively participate in the fight against corruption.