Minister of Public Service Gen (Rtd) Edward Katumba Wamala has assured public servants that they should not fear Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara's ongoing anti-corruption campaigns if they are innocent and transparent in the execution of their duties. He made these remarks in Gulu City during a meeting with local government leaders from the Acholi Sub-region. The meeting was held to address concerns from some officials that Balaam's approach to fighting corruption had left several public servants feeling scared and traumatized.
Some public servants have expressed fear of being arrested, even when they have not committed any wrongdoing, due to Balaam's recent anti-corruption efforts. Nabinson Kidega Nok, the Agago Resident District Commissioner, stated that some employees had become "sleepless" over fears of being arrested. Kidega urged for case-by-case studies to handle issues on the table, citing that the fear was affecting the mental well-being of public servants. He emphasized that even those who had not done anything wrong were scared.
Balaam's anti-corruption campaigns have involved holding public barazas in local governments to scrutinize government projects and demand accountability from officials. His efforts have led to the arrest of some public servants and others being asked to explain themselves publicly over alleged corruption and mismanagement. However, Gen Katumba stated that Balaam's interventions are largely based on information obtained through investigations and reports from oversight institutions.
According to Gen Katumba, Balaam's actions are not arbitrary, but rather based on evidence from reports by the Inspectorate of Government, Auditor General, and State House Anti-Corruption Unit, as well as information from whistleblowers. Katumba advised public servants against resisting government mechanisms established to fight corruption, urging them instead to cooperate with investigations. He emphasized the importance of evidence and due process in handling allegations of wrongdoing.
Gen Katumba stressed that allegations of wrongdoing should be supported by evidence, and suspects found culpable should be subjected to established legal processes. He also urged public servants, elected leaders, and Resident District Commissioners to work together and avoid institutional rivalries that undermine service delivery. The meeting brought together various local government officials to discuss public service delivery and the dissemination of Establishment Notice No. 3 of 2026 and Circular Standing Instruction No. 3 of 2026.
Local government leaders raised several challenges, including the delayed transition of employee records from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS) to the Human Capital Management (HCM) system. They also cited inadequate wage allocations to district local governments, which constrained staff recruitment, and delays in the approval of District Service Commission members by the Public Service Commission.
Joan Natwenda, Commissioner of Human Resources at the Public Service Commission, urged local government officials to support the anti-corruption drive. She emphasized that everyone has an obligation to support the efforts to serve the country. The engagement focused on addressing the challenges faced by local government leaders and finding solutions to improve public service delivery in the Acholi Sub-region.
Key points
- Public servants are advised not to fear Minister Balaam Barugahara's anti-corruption campaigns if they are innocent and transparent in their duties.
- Balaam's anti-corruption efforts are based on evidence from reports by oversight institutions and information from whistleblowers.
- Local government leaders raised several challenges, including delayed transition of employee records and inadequate wage allocations.
