{UAH} CORRUPTION INTERNATIONAL: WHY ALWAYS SHAMING THE COUNTRY?

Reports that the US government has issued indictments against a few African diplomats on corruption charges is another shameful chapter for the continent.

A Ugandan who was lucky to become President of the UN General Assembly in 2015 is now being exposed internationally as just another corrupt African official.

The indictment is an indication of the true calibre of the individuals purporting to run the affairs of the state on behalf of the empoverished people of Uganda.

Remember that at around the same time when the Honourable Mr. Sam Kuteesa was selected to preside over the General Assembly, Uganda was also proposing another official for the post of Chairperson of the African Union.

Had West African states not insisted on the integrity of candidates, Africa would by now be chaired by a known corrupt Ugandan named Honourable Specioza Kazibwe who was previously found to have misused public funds meant to ensure food security for the people of this country.

Imagine what kind of "maalo" (colloquial behaviours) such characters take with them when they are assigned to international organizations.

As a former UN volunteer myself, I perfectly understand how such developments bring shame to our country abroad yet in such peoples heads they think they are clean, big and sharp. In reality they just feign to be oblivious of the stigma of corruption that stinks on them abroad. When we put known corrupt people to represent, defend or negotiate on behalf of the continent, who do we think takes them seriously? In fact they loose any leverage the continent or our country might have on given issues simply because of their tainted personal records.

Maybe the problem is that the Ugandan "appointing authority" also thinks that everyone out there is as comfortable surrounded with corrupt officials as they are. Wallowing in a level of public theft and open plunder of state coffers that everywhere else colleagues and counterparts find disturbing and clearly do not want to be associated with.

Living in such a bubble possibly comes from decades of regarding state assets and national resources as personal property for oneself and ones cronies. While out there, everyone understands that it is important to be seen having good work ethics, impeccable integrity, pristine accountability, and knowing the line between personal stuff and public property.

I therefore would like to thank the US government, particularly the FBI and the Department of Justice, for the swift action taken to expose the corrupt.

Ultimately, clean incorruptible African leaders are the ones that truly work for the benefit of the African people. They ensure that all national resources go entirely to the population in the form of better public services and more genuine sustainable development projects.

We must also understand that it is difficult for the populace to be thankful to corrupt individuals for anything since we all know that in whatever they do, they have already thanked themselves through underhand cash. 

Meanwhile, I would also like to request on behalf of the people of Uganda that the US government (possibly through the US Embassy in Kampala) makes public it's findings in regards to the murder of Senior Police officer Andrew Felix Kaweesi earlier this year (March 2017).

Many Ugandans believe that the assassination was a sinister plot. One that could have involved suspect individuals at the very top of the nation's political and/or security hierarchy. There are persistent allegations that a US-issued M-4 assault rifle could have been the murder weapon. One issued by the US military in bilateral security cooperation programs with Uganda including in training and the fight against terrorism. That allegation around the murder weapon needs to be clarified by the "issuer".

Furthermore, the public saw how officials were almost in breach of sub judice principles, accusing the Police Force of murdering their own colleague even before a criminal investigation was initiated. How someone already knew who/which institution was behind the murder is a matter that in itself needs investigation.

The US agents who were seen collecting the forensic evidence at the scene of the crime on March 28th 2017 would therefore be better able to impartially establish and reveal all known facts regarding this horrific murder that shocked Ugandans. Indeed it was reminiscent of FRONASA rebel's early days of assassination hit-lists followed by broad daylight abductions and mysterious disappearances of the country's elite in the 70's. The same kind of developments that in recent years have resulted in the deaths of Muslim clerics, judges, and prominent businessmen, while police investigations and prosecution of suspects have proved to be questionable, even contradictory at many levels.

Let me end with a reminder about the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. This is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign is on every year from 25th November, the International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women, upto 10th December which is Human Rights day.

This year's theme is "No One Left Behind: End Violence Against Women & Girls." Remember that as a rule, when women and girls do better in society, the whole community does better.

More info here: unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/take-action/16-days-of-activism

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