In Uganda, we Stealth where we Worketh…then we posture!

You might think there are renewed efforts to fight corruption in Uganda. You might think the big fish is being tackled. You might even be tempted to think the implicated big fish’s necks are on the political chopping block.
During these times, you are keen not to miss the next news bulletin so you don’t let pass the latest development on big shots in court. You mention their names (including their traditional ones last officially used in 1980 or there-about). You quote the figures of money they have hauled to ‘Numbered’ Swiss Bank Accounts. You praise the newly found courage of the hither-to weak-willed anti-corruption agencies.

But dear friend, you could be mistaken.

Does it mean anything to you that when top politicians are taken to court over corruption, the president calls a press conference and announces the accused are innocent? Does it matter that the president declares in public that evidence to be brought against these accused VIPs is fake?

To me, it matters.

Lawyers have complained that the Chogm money-swindling minister suspects were charged with the ‘wrong’ offence where the likelihood to find them guilty is less. And it could be intentional. The charge should have been about their illegal procurement of the Chogm cars, the lawyers opine. Of-course many other would-be suspects in Chogm are walking free.

Now I hear the Chogm suspects have appealed to a superior court. Their concern is: Why should one’s ‘dear’ bail be cancelled just because he/she has been committed to the (higher) Anti-Corruption Court for trial? Gilbert Bukenya raised the same argument. The Magistrate ‘ignored’ him. The same Magistrate has agreed now that it is a serious concern which the constitutional court should first determine!

You surely have heard of ‘delaying tactics.’ This could be it. From there, they will appeal to another court which has no Coram of judges. The appointing authority (of judges) will look on, knowing what it means.

On Uganda’s yet-to-be produced oil, corruption is already intense. Parliament (which might be posturing) passed resolutions. Now Uganda’s higher Parliament, the NRM caucus, has directed that those resolutions made by the lower House have been overturned.

Again, does this matter to you? Does it? That if you keep opposing the president he will leave State House and go to the bush? This is what he allegedly said at Kyankwanzi NRM retreat!