[A man who hides under a borrowed cloak fools no one but himself]. Uganda is no stranger to the whispers of corruption and deceit, but the case of Dr. Leonard Kibuule raises troubling questions about our nation’s direction.
How did a celebrated surgeon with global acclaim and a genuine desire to invest in his homeland become a victim of betrayal? And who will now pay for the loss that Uganda, not just the Kibuule family, has suffered?
Dr. Kibuule, named among the top 150 surgeons in the United States, had every reason to look elsewhere for his investments. Yet, he chose Uganda.
He wanted to give back to his roots, building an orthopedic hospital in Masaka, a region that sorely lacks specialized medical services. His initiative, sparked by an invitation from Masaka’s former mayor, Godfrey Kayemba Afaayo, was meant to be a beacon of hope. Instead, it turned into a tale of fraud, broken promises, and bitter disappointment.
The details are as heartbreaking as they are infuriating. Land allocated, payments made, and official letters confirming the deal were all in place. But just as the project was about to take off, excuses emerged. Calls went unanswered. Legal entanglements were cited. The very people entrusted to ensure the success of the project turned into stumbling blocks. And now, the mastermind of this deceit has conveniently wrapped himself in the yellow flag of the ruling NRM, seeking refuge under the guise of party allegiance.
This is where the story becomes even more troubling. When individuals like Kayemba use the ruling party as a shield to escape accountability, they tarnish the image of the NRM and undermine the party’s credibility. Such acts send a dangerous message, that loyalty to the party can absolve one of wrongdoing. This not only erodes trust in the system but also damages Uganda’s reputation as a destination for investment.
Dr. Kibuule’s case is not an isolated incident. Many Ugandans in the diaspora, eager to invest in their homeland, have faced similar frustrations. Each story of fraud and deceit represents not just a personal loss but a collective national failure. Uganda loses far more than money, but trust, credibility, and opportunities for growth.
President Museveni has often called for the protection of investors and warned against those who extort them. Yet, cases like this persist, casting doubt on the effectiveness of these assurances. If the government cannot guarantee the safety of investments, what message does this send to other potential investors?
The loss in this case is not just Dr. Kibuule’s, but Uganda’s. The orthopedic hospital that could have saved countless lives and brought advanced medical care to Masaka remains a dream deferred. The diaspora, which plays a crucial role in the country’s development, may think twice before sending their hard earned money back home. And the ruling NRM, by shielding wrongdoers, risks alienating the very people it seeks to serve.
It is time for serious introspection. Who will pay for Uganda’s lost opportunities? Who will restore the trust that has been broken? If individuals like Kayemba can exploit the system and escape accountability, the cost will not just be borne by Dr. Kibuule but by every Ugandan who dreams of a better, more prosperous nation.
Uganda must rise above such failures. The government, and particularly the NRM, must act decisively to ensure that justice is served. Only then can we reclaim the trust of investors, both local and foreign, and ensure that such betrayals do not become the norm. [A nation that eats its own cannot thrive]. It’s time to stop devouring our future.
