The debate around the country is that of massive Corruption that is said to be almost in every corridor of Parliament with members applying every trick of inflicting financial torture against those they serve.
As a result, President Yoweri Museveni a fortnight ago came in to save the situation directing security agencies led by CID and State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate, arrest and charge whoever is involved. So far, five legislators have had their freedom curtailed following their arrest and eventual prosecution over allegations of possession of ‘long fingers’!
Museveni’s directive has already brought smiles on the faces of many people including UPM/NRA/M historicals.
One of the bush war comrades who’s now a commissioner at Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Col. (rtd) Stephen Basaliza alias Omuduumizi who is among the founder members of UPM which later transformer into NRA/M. He spoke to The Inspector about the issue of corruption in the country and what should be done.
Excerpts!
Qn. What is your take on the current state of affairs in regards to corruption?
Basaliza: First of all, we’re grateful for what H.E the President is doing. He has emphasized that it’s no longer honeymoon. What’s happening now has never happened and I want to say that people must not fear to expose corruption provided; what they are saying is legal, not inciting or speculations. Fighting Corruption is not for only one person but it’s everyone’s responsibility. All arms of government (legislature, executive and judiciary) and you the forth estate (media), the other institutions like IGG, State House Anti-Corruption Unit and CID; all these organs need to ensure that they work hand in hand and sooner or later; with what’s going on, this vice might end.
Qn. You’re one of the founder members of UPM which was started by YK Museveni but later tranformed into NRM/A. How did you treat those who were involved in such, those days?
Basaliza: There were key principles which guided the formation of UPM. One of them we advocated for was clean leadership with emphasis given to zero tolerance to corruption. These were things we started in the early days of UPM. The pillars of patriotism, pan Africanism, human rights, security for all persons and their properties, mixed economy etc were later incorporated into the NRM agenda. Patriotism was to make people not to be corrupt. YK Museveni advocated for that during UPM days and that’s why the youth and elites supported him. All these (NRM) pillars were got from the principles of foundation of UPM and by the same leader (Museveni).
That’s why in the early days of NRM/A, those things (of corruption) weren’t seen anywhere be it in the Army, political class (Parliament), the National Resistance Council, Civil Service and districts. Actually, those days the SDAs (read RDCs) took charge and served patriotically. People sacrificed (in order) to rebuild the country to ensure that it is stable.
Qn. Then what went wrong?
Basaliza: Somehow, things went astray as NRM/A which was a small group became broad-based and everyone came in with his or her own agenda. People started changing goal posts and others got spoilt along the way.
Qn. But government has been taking people to Kyankwanzi for cadreship courses presumably to make them patriotic.
Basaliza: It’s true. Actually such courses started from Mugusa Political school in Busoro-Kabalore and later went to Namugongo, Wakiso before finally going to Kyankwanzi. This political school was established to teach people and these cadres were eventually deployed in MDAs. That was the practice but these days, people just come and enter (offices).
Yes, these cadreship courses are continuing at Kyankwanzi and many agencies like National Water and Sewerage Corporation and others have taken staff there for training but it seems people are becoming adamant. Therefore, a new mechanism must come in to arrest Corruption. What you’re seeing (happening to legislators) is going to (happen) to all government departments, districts and the rest of it.
We must deal with Corruption like we did to stabilize Uganda Revenue Authority.
Qn. What happened in URA?
Basaliza: When URA was formed in 1992, there was a lot of corruption in the Customs Department. People were used to not paying taxes and things were brought in for free. An Anti-Smuggling Unit under the NRA/UPDF was formed. It was headed by Lt. Col. (then) Andrew Lutaaya and included officers like Maj. Musinguzi, Col. Fred Bogere, Brig. Moses Rwakitaraate, Col. Shaban Bantariza, Col. Stephen Basaliza (myself), Patrick Karegyeya (former DG ISO-Rwanda) and a few others. This became a crack unit to stop smuggling and Corruption in URA and that’s why (revenue) collections began. Our unit had a skeleton staff of about 20 officers but it did a lot of work all over the country at all customs points especially in the East, Kasese at Mpondwe. It was a mobile force but was all over and did great work. We were driven by the principle of patriotism. We never spared anybody. As you can see, the officers deployed in the unit were juniors in ranks but spared nobody.
This Anti-Smuggling Unit later tranformed into SPRS headed by Gen. Kale Kayihura and had officers like Brig. Henry Isoke (current head of State House Anti-Corruption Unit), Herbert Mbonye (formerly in CMI and defense attache) among others. SPRS later became a formal department in URA and from there, the army handed over. Now, URA is working on the foundation of what we started. So, if we do such things, Corruption can be fought.
Qn. What do you think is the main cause of this Corruption we’re seeing that has even led to the ongoing crackdown on parliamentarians and staff?
Basaliza: You see, I have worked in all areas. In the army and some other institutions. I have been in Parliament also and currently I serve as a Commissioner in the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
The real problem is love for soft life and primitive accumulation of wealth. During our UPM and early NRM/A days, primitive accumulation of wealth was heavily condemned. Much emphasis was put on the Principle of Primitive accumulation of wealth. It was enough to tell you about your lifestyle and that’s why many people (historicals) have gone into retirement with modest wealth and are still surviving on that as they continue to serve the country where ever they are. They served in peace. But now, it seems people have violated that principle. There is a primitive desire to accumulate wealth. So, people should be arrested and face the right procedures to answer. Let us not confuse politics with Corruption because of who is being involved. When I look at the (ongoing) censure attempts in Parliament, it’s about Corruption not about who is who. If people are corrupt, let them answer. Any corrupt person can be Censured, Arrested, Suspended and a due process of the law takes its course.
