Uganda Peoples Congress
National Secretariat
Plot 8-10 Kampala Road, Uganda House,
P. O. Box 9206, Kampala
phone/Fax:+256-41-236748

Corruption and Dictatorship in Uganda

Embargoed for release at 11.00am, 20th Wednesday 2008

Corruption and Dictotorship Undermining Uganda's Unternational Credibility

1. The Uganda Peoples Congress has for the last twenty 21 years sounded warning drums to members of the International community about doing business closely with President Yoweri Museveni's government. Despite those warnings, the donor countries pumped millions of dollars into Uganda's economy without enforcing accountability and requiring the Uganda government to adhere to the universal principles of democracy, justice and constitutionalism.
2. When corruption became glaring, especially last year as Global funds and Gavi funds were openly stolen by NRM government ministers, the International Community called for stern action to be taken against the culprits. However no such action has been taken and the pending cases are merely symbolic. The NRM government was just interested in CHOGM and as soon as it attained its interest, it resumed business as usual. The same old way of looting continues.
3. The Uganda Peoples Congress would like to appreciate the Donor stand on Corruption since the stealing of "Global Aids funds" and "Gavi funds". No donor country has been increasing funding to the government of President Yoweri Museveni. Instead many have been quietly withdrawing from the country and many of their projects and programs have been suspended due to President Museveni inaction on corruption.
4. The recent Pronouncement by US President George W Bush while in our neighbourhood of Tanzania on his African tour that "America will not work with thieves and looters" is another strong signal that the International Community is not ready to tolerate impunity in public affairs management in Africa. Actually it was a direct slap in the face of corrupt leaders in Africa particularly within the East African Countries. No wonder President Bush cautiously avoided coming to meet President Museveni, the current Chairman of the East African Community and the commonwealth. To do so would have been seen as paying homage to dictatorship and corruption.
5. President Museveni has been a darling of the western world and belongs to the generation of the so called "New Breed of African leaders" who were supposed to usher in democracy, the rule of law and constitutionalism. He was dubbed as a "beacon of hope" Uganda was paraded on the international scene as an economic success story and therefore a role model for other emerging African Countries.
6. However, Uganda remains a haven of corruption and dictatorship characterised by:-
1. Life Presidency Project where the Constitutional term limits have been removed for Museveni to rule forever and ever.
2. The Persecution and continued harassment of opposition members using all methods
3. Negative influence in the politics of neighbouring countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Congo and Sudan.
4. The current economic stagnation in Uganda and social despondency.
6. The Uganda Peoples Congress calls upon the International Community to play a more pro people and pro active roles in ensuring African leaders adhere to the principles of democracy, rule of law and justice as enshrined in International conventions and instruments.

For God and my Country

Mama Miria Kalule Obote

President, Uganda Peoples Congress