Sseggona Backs Anti-Corruption Push, Stresses Legal Boundaries

Medard Sseggona, the former MP for Busiro County East, has voiced support for the government’s renewed focus on combating corruption. However, he also issued a significant caution, emphasizing that the campaign must operate strictly within the bounds of the law and be bolstered by strong oversight institutions.

Speaking on Sanyuka TV, Sseggona acknowledged the importance of the anti-corruption drive, which aligns with President Museveni’s “Kisanja No More Sleep” agenda. This initiative prioritizes tackling corruption, improving public services, and ensuring the effective implementation of government programs. Recent weeks have seen increased activity from anti-corruption agencies, investigating various cases from local government corruption to alleged mismanagement of funds related to the Parish Development Model.

While appreciating the renewed vigour, Sseggona stated it was premature to declare Uganda definitively on the right path. He drew a parallel to a Chinese proverb, suggesting that even a long journey begins with a single step, and thus, the fight against corruption should be approached with caution.

A key concern for Sseggona is that the pursuit of corrupt individuals should not lead to the disregard of established legal procedures. “There should never be a day when we are tempted to drift away from what the law provides,” he asserted.

Furthermore, Sseggona highlighted the indispensable role of Parliament’s oversight committees in scrutinizing government expenditure and holding officials accountable. He stressed that weakening these committees, which he has experience with from chairing PAC and COSASE, would be a step backward in the fight against corruption. He also referenced a past procedural change under former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, which he believes inadvertently allowed accounting officers to evade scrutiny by delaying their appearances before committees.

For Sseggona, the effectiveness of the anti-corruption campaign hinges on a dual approach: sustained political will must be matched by capable oversight bodies, lawful enforcement, and parliamentary committees empowered to trace public funds and demand accountability from officials.

https://nilepost.co.ug/news/367799/sseggona-applauds-anti-corruption-drive-but-urges-caution