By Gad Masereka
Kololo: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has compared corrupt government officials to parasites who earn without working for what they earn.
The remarks were made by the President at Kololo Independence grounds during the ‘Free Uganda from Corruption’ day that was held today December 04, 2019 and kicked off with a walk led by president Museveni.
The president described the act of being corrupt as an immoral act that has become a problem to almost every Ugandan.
“Corrupt people are parasites who earn what they have not worked for and I have never seen those corrupt people successful. Corruption is a spiritual problem. I have never stolen but I’m rich. So let us fight these bad people because even God condemns them and their acts,” said Museveni.
He also called upon politicians to fight for their people to get basic needs, the lack of which he said is the main cause of corruption in Uganda. He added that political leaders should mind about creating jobs for the people they represent at any level so as to reduce the rate of corruption in Uganda.
The president also said the law is there to work upon any one who will be caught in the act and he or she will be taken to court to face the penalties.
He warned the police, which he considered as the most corrupt unit and the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to be careful while handling some cases.
“The group of Nakalema, URA and the office of the IGG please don’t recruit papers, because the educated are thieves. Recruit integrity instead of recruiting the educated thieves that will make the rest cry. The educated should go to judiciary and may be other sectors,” said Museveni.
The deputy speaker Jacob Oulanya was also not happy with some of government officials who engage in corruption yet they are ones to fight against it. He added that almost everyone in Uganda is corrupt, the father is corrupt to his family, leaders to their subjects and all government officials are corrupt.
He noted that “If no one has never stolen let them be the one to first stone me. Mr. President, we are all corrupt, everyone here is guilty. Today we are here to fight against corruption and I know we are going back to the same corruption that we have come to fight today, even immediately after here!’’
He urged every Ugandan to use his position as the front line to fight against corruption in Uganda.
The president later signed the Anti-Corruption strategy plan for Uganda and the Zero Tolerance to corruption policy of Uganda that will be used in fighting against corruption.
