Pressure is mounting on local government officials as Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara continues his aggressive anti-corruption campaign, conducting surprise inspections and demanding accountability from district and city leaders.
Now, Mbarara City Mayor Robert Kakyebezi has publicly challenged the minister’s approach, arguing that Balaam should supervise local governments rather than personally taking part in investigations.
Kakyebezi said a minister’s role is to provide policy direction and oversight, insisting that investigations should be left to the relevant agencies before reports are submitted for administrative action.
His comments come at a time when Balaam’s nationwide crackdown has unsettled several local authorities, with inspections, arrests, and corruption investigations placing public officials under unprecedented scrutiny.
While Kakyebezi did not object to the fight against corruption itself, his criticism of the minister’s methods is likely to spark debate over whether some leaders are growing uncomfortable with the intensified oversight.
Balaam has repeatedly defended his hands-on approach, saying he was appointed to ensure accountability and improve service delivery rather than remain confined to office. He maintains that no public official should fear transparency if they have managed public resources properly.
The exchange sets the stage for a broader debate over how Uganda’s anti-corruption campaign should be conducted, as the government’s push for accountability continues to reach deeper into local administrations.