We Will Arrest More Corrupt People

Uganda People's Defence Forces matching — Uganda People’s Defence Forces soldiers taking part in the match past

President Yoweri Museveni has promised to continue with the fight against corruption warning that the government will continue to arrest those involved in mismanagement of public funds but are still at large.

The President made these remarks while delivering his speech on the occasion to mark the 27^th anniversary of the National Resistance Movement. The event was held at Nyakasanga Grounds in Kasese district, western Uganda.

“We will arrest more, we must make the corrupt people lose appetite for corruption and it is the NRM that will do this” President Museveni said.

Corruption has been one of the black stains on the ruling NRM’s 27 years in power, however the President was quick to recognize that some progress had been made in fighting the vice that consumes a significant portion of the country’s GDP.

President Museveni delivering his speech in Kasese district

President Museveni lauded what he called NRM sympathizers and young Police officers who he credited for uncovering the corruption scandals in various government departments.

“The young officers we deliberately recruited are the ones helping us to fight this corruption…the successes we are beginning to achieve are as a result of the work of these patriots and the like-minded people we have today” He said.

President Museveni blamed the delay in projects as one of the causes of youth unemployment emphasising the need for factories as a solution to the problem.

“Delay in projects delays job creation for our youth. What Africa lacks most are factories..we were colonized bse of lack of factories and are still lagging behind bse of lack of factories-Africa lacks modernization and if we solve this, it will be easier to solve other issues” He said.

In 1986 January 26, the National Resistance Army led by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni took over power after a five year guerrilla war. However this year’s celebrations were postponed to 30th when it became clear that some of the invited guests could not make it on 26th of January.

The President’s speech was preceded by the awarding of medals to Ugandans who made a contribution to the struggle and the launch of The 50th National Independence Golden Jubilee medal that were awarded to various government institutions.

Uganda’s Former Presidents were awarded the 50th National Independence Golden Jubilee medal posthumously including Ex-Kampala Mayor Christopher Iga and Departed Hero and Industrialist James Mulwana.

Other beneficiaries of the prize included Uganda Netball team that contested at the 1979 World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago, 1990 Commonwealth Gold Medallist and current Kampala Central Mayor, Godfrey Nyakana, the 1978 Uganda Cranes team that lost the AFCON finals to Ghana, 2-0, Olympic Men’s Marathon Gold Medalist Stephen Kiprotich and Renowned playwright Alex Mukulu.

The function was attended by religious, political and cultural leaders from across the country and dignitaries from Mozambique, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo among others.

President of Mozambique, His Excellency Armando Emilio Guebuza was also honoured for the contribution his country made to Uganda.