By Jumah Kakomo
On Saturday 9th December 2023, the world commemorated the 20th anniversary of International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme; “strengthening partnerships in the war against corruption”, at a time when humanity is under real threat due to corruption which has the capacity to wipe out all the gains that have been achieved since the end of Second World War 1939 – 1945, now the Uganda People’s Congress UPC says corruption can only be defeated if there is political will.
Addressing a news conference at UPC headquarters in Kampala, Muzeyi Faizo, the head of media and communications said the fight against corruption can only be best realized when there is a very strong Political Will that ensures that all institutions and systems are working effectively.
In Uganda, corruption is highly threatening service delivery from both local and central government. UPC says to achieve the theme strategies to reduce the cost of corruption in Uganda must be put in place and also cause a citizenry that is nationalistic in outlook and action.
“UPC has been following the government’s set up sequence of dealing with corruption that includes investigations, arrests, prosecution, conviction, confiscating of corruption proceeds and life style audit which still hangs in balance following President Museveni’s earlier remarks on the same. All this hinges on the institutional capacity and independence to gather and protect evidence that is admissible in courts of law and UPC has been at the forefront of urging Government to empower all institutions so that they are able to operate effectively without any interferences.
Muzeyi Faizo said that UPC is very much concerned that corruption may derail the country’s efforts of achieving vision 2030 that is based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He however said that with the revival of Police Special Branch, UPC is hopeful that more of such information may get available on time and well analyzed if it is allowed to execute its mandatory duties.
“Our physical infrastructure especially roads are in a poor shape which is an indicator that corruption may have been behind poor workmanship. Our health system is lacking better and functioning facilities, medical staff is insufficient, drugs are in scarcity and health for all at an affordable cost is still a pipe dream! Education each day is becoming an expensive commodity right from pre-primary, primary, secondary and college/university. All these gaps in service delivery are greatly attributed to corruption that should be squarely fought with a Political Goodwill.” Said Muzeyi Faizo
UPC therefore called upon the State, government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media fraternity, private sector, civil society, academia, public and the youths to form enduring partnerships that stand up against corruption. Let us all be Agents of the Anti-Corruption Crusade!
In the same way, UPC is mourning the demise of their gallant son, Comrade Charles Oduka who died last Sunday 10th December 2023 in London.
“Charles has all along been on frontline in advancing the cause of the Party. Even when there is limited hope, he has been one of the inspirational and symbols of UPC diaspora politics that reaches out to the rest across the globe and Uganda.
For instance, in 2006 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, he left his base in London to get fully involved in the UPC campaign trail. “said Muzeyi Faizo
At the same time, UPC has lost another gallant son, Comrade Alex Oryang sono who has been a Lecturer at Lira University Teaching Hospital.
Faizo said “Alex was a special asset to UPC and Uganda as well as a key facilitator during the Uhuru celebrations and our founding father, Dr. Apolo Milton memorial Lectures. This is a great loss of such a personality well advanced in the ideology and history of UPC and Uganda.
The Party condoles with the bereaved families in mourning our fallen Comrades.”
