Kampala, Uganda — A couple of days ago, several Mitooma District officials, including the CAO, DHO, and some members of the District Service Commission, were arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit. The district is the birthplace of the current Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, and the current Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Kahinda Otafire. The current district chairperson is Karyaija Johnson Benon.
Speaking with journalists on Friday at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala at the “Congratulations on Landslide Victory” event dubbed ‘Yoga Yoga Jajja’, Alex Okanga Karitundu, the newly elected chairperson of Mitooma District, blasted the current political leadership as a shame to the district, which is the birthplace of these high-profile figures NRM government.
According to Karitundu, the current shame is brought about by egoism and a fight for entitlement in the district. He noted that even though the recent problem of extortion has been seen, the political leadership at the helm of the district is largely to blame due to egoism and entitlement.
Karitundu stated that the silence of the district LC5 chairperson speaks volumes, wondering why he’s sitting on the district and being eaten by woeful circumstances. He added that it’s a shame for a district with high-profile figures in the NRM government, whose core principle is to fight corruption, to harbor corrupt officials.
He emphasized that it’s the role of the chairperson to intervene and give direction, saying that otherwise, he is also part of the problem. Karitundu questioned how mere workers like the DHO or CAO can be in the district without the chairperson giving direction as a political head.
“This doesn’t give us a good image as Mitooma District,” Karitundu said. He called on Karyaija to come out and explain why there’s been a surge in corruption. Karitundu vowed to crack down on such officials once he’s sworn in as the new LC5 chairperson.
“It will sweep out that rubbish once I’m sworn in as the political head of Mitooma District,” he said, adding that it will mark a new chapter for the district, with officials working without extorting money from the public.
Commenting on Yoga Yoga Jajja, Karitundu welcomed the President’s landslide victory his message of fighting corruption, saying it connects with what’s happening in Mitooma District. He encouraged leaders to emulate Museveni’s message of zero tolerance to corruption and serve citizens without fear or favor.
He thanked Hajjat Amina Mukarazi for her support of NRM and good mobilization, making the Yoga Yoga Jajja celebration a colorful event.
