Arrest of ministers implicated in iron sheets scandal not enough [Editor's Opinion]

As Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu and her brother Michael Naboya Kitutu walked out of jail after being granted bail on Friday, 14 April, Amos Lugoloobi, the State Minister for Finance and Planning, was getting in.

News of Lugoloobi’s arrested took social media by storm in the evening hours – 07:00PM to be precise.

Speculation that more ministers implicated in the scandal would be arrested was rife that night. Actually, there were reports – still unconfirmed – that some ministers hid in fear of being arrested. 

In a country were politicians have mastered the art of playing to the gallery, it would be understandable if the common man treated these arrests with a pinch of salt.

Several corruption scandals in the past, and the probes commissioned by the President, haven’t yielded anything.

The 2007 CHOGM, 2008 global fund, 2008 Temangalo, and the 2011 Hassan Basajjabalaba compensation corruption scandals among others have all passed through Uganda like a sweeping storm that hasn’t changed anything despite public ridicule. 

Most government officials involved, including ministers, have walked free. This has left the common man unconvinced about Government commitment to fight corruption once and for all.

In the eyes of the wananhci, the arrest of these ministers is only meant to serve a short-term strategy to make Government look good. To make it look like something is being done about it.

This could be or may not be the case, but given the history of this regime, many are convinced that the arrests – if they continue – would be a show put up by Government to look good.

Government would have to do a lot more if they are to win back the trust of the people.

Fighting corruption should be more than just arresting those implicated.

Systems that don’t make it easy for one to get hold of public funds need to be put in place.

If Government is committed to fighting corruption, then those implicated in any corruption scandal would have to resign and be banished from holding any public offices. This hasn’t been the case in the past.

There has to be will and commitment from our leaders if this vice is to be fought.