Date: 25th July, 2026
INTRODUCTION
Corruption undermines service delivery, wastes public resources, and erodes public trust in Government.
The fight against corruption cannot be left to Government alone. It requires all of us. Elders, opinion leaders, church leaders, Muslim leaders, cultural leaders, LCs, civil society, the media, and every citizen must wake up and demand their right to quality service delivery.
When a road is poorly done, when PDM money is diverted, when a patient is asked to pay for free medicine that is not just a Government failure. It is a community failure if we keep quiet.
My position is therefore clear: *Yes, corruption in Kanungu District can be significantly reduced and effectively managed.*
While ending it completely will require sustained institutional enforcement and support from oversight bodies such as the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), the real power lies in an awake, informed, and courageous citizenry that refuses to tolerate the theft of public resources.
CURRENT ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS IN KANUNGU
Kanungu District has made important strides in the fight against graft:
A. Project Monitoring and Audits
The Office of the RDC, in coordination with SH-ACU, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), and Uganda Police, regularly conducts field inspections and audits of Government programs.
Key programs under review include the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, road construction, and infrastructure projects such as bridges and irrigation schemes.
B. Public Awareness and Civic Education
We are using community barazas, local radio talk shows, and LC structures to educate citizens.
The message is consistent: Government empowerment funds are free. No citizen should pay a bribe to access PDM, Emyooga, or any other Government service.
C. Zero-Tolerance Policy
As District leadership, we maintain a firm stance: any public officer, contractor, or individual found misusing public funds will be investigated, interdicted, and prosecuted.
KEY CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME
Despite the progress, several challenges continue to fuel corruption:
A. Poverty and Vulnerability to Bribery
High levels of poverty make some community members susceptible to vote-buying and small bribes. Desperation should never be exploited for personal gain.
B. Gaps in Service Delivery and Project Supervision
Residents continue to report poor quality infrastructure, delayed projects, and shoddy work by contractors. This is often linked to weak technical supervision and non-compliance with procurement procedures.
C. Culture of Silence, Concealment, and Impunity
Fear, patronage, and the tendency to protect “our own” discourage citizens and even officers from reporting wrongdoing.
We have seen cases where some leaders come out to defend and cover up those who steal public money instead of supporting accountability.
A DIRECT CHALLENGE TO LEADERS AND THE MEDIA
Dr. Gad A. Rugaju, therefore challenge all community leaders, church leaders, Muslim leaders, cultural leaders, and journalists in Kanungu:
Corruption must end in Kanungu, and you must all join the fight.
Stop the concealment. Stop hiding and defending those who are corrupt and steal Government money.
A recent example is the case of Kankoko Bridge in Kihembe Sub-County, where funds amounting to UGX 40,000,000 meant to help the people of Kihembe were allegedly misused.
It is unfortunate that instead of standing with the people, some individuals, including the District Communications Officer, came out to support the District Engineer, the Roads Supervisor, and the Superintendent of Works who are under investigation for causing this Government loss.
Further, it is alleged that the majority of journalists who covered the story of the Government loss of UGX 40,000,000 on Kankoko Bridge were bribed not to publish it. Only a few were bold enough to report. The majority chose silence after being compromised.
To that extent, they too become part of the corruption in Kanungu.
The media has a sacred duty to inform the public. When the media is compromised, corruption thrives in darkness.
Defending wrongdoers or hiding the truth makes one an accomplice. The people of Kihembe deserve justice, and the people of Kanungu deserve leaders and journalists who choose truth over money and loyalty to individuals.
STEPS TO BUILD A CLEAN AND ACCOUNTABLE KANUNGU
To overcome these challenges, we propose the following actions:
1. Enhance Transparency
Every Government project must have a public signpost showing the project name, contractor, budget, timeframe, and contact of the responsible office. _Sunlight is the best disinfectant._
2. Empower All Stakeholders as Watchdogs
Elders must mentor the youth in integrity. Church and Muslim leaders must preach against corruption from the pulpit. Journalists must investigate and report the truth without fear or favor. Opinion leaders must speak against it in public. LCs and CSOs must monitor projects. Together, we must create a community that rejects bribes.
3. Enforce Strict Accountability
Adopt a “recover, interdict, prosecute” approach. Funds lost must be recovered. Officers implicated must face disciplinary action. Contractors who deliver substandard work must be blacklisted. Journalists who take bribes to suppress information must also be exposed.
4. Lead by Example
Political and technical leaders must demonstrate integrity. Public officers must declare conflict of interest and avoid involvement in contracts they are supposed to supervise.
5. Address the Root Cause: Poverty
Ensure that PDM, Emyooga, and other livelihood programs reach the intended beneficiaries on time and in full. Economic empowerment reduces the incentive to engage in or tolerate corruption.
HOW CITIZENS AND LEADERS CAN PARTICIPATE
1. Elders & Opinion Leaders: Mentor, counsel, and expose corrupt practices in community meetings.
2. Church & Muslim Leaders: Teach that corruption is sin and that public office is service, not enrichment.
3. Journalists & Media: Report facts truthfully. Do not accept bribes to kill stories of public interest.
4. Report: Contact SH-ACU Toll Free Line 0800 202 500 or the Office of the RDC/DRDC. Whistleblowers will be protected.
5. Participate: Attend budget meetings and project handovers. Ask questions.
6. Refuse: Do not pay for services that are supposed to be free.
CONCLUSION
Corruption is not stronger than the people of Kanungu, and it is not stronger than God.
If elders speak, if faith leaders teach, if journalists report truth, if citizens demand, and if leaders act then Kanungu will be free from the chains of corruption.
Let us build Kanungu on the foundation of truth, justice, and accountability.
The resources meant for roads, health centers, schools, and PDM belong to the people — and the people deserve to get them.
Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY*
Dr. Ahimbisibwe Gad Rugaju, PhD, DCM (Honoris Causa)
DEPUTY RESIDENT DISTRICT COMMISSIONER
KANUNGU DISTRICT
+256772912643
