Officials in lower local governments are closely watching and monitoring how the government will handle the corruption case against former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.
If she is set free despite the overwhelming evidence against her, it will be difficult to effectively fight corruption in lower local governments.
I am kindly appealing to President Museveni that the corruption case involving the former Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, should be treated seriously because no one knows the extent of her alleged agenda of accumulating wealth and funding over 90% of MPs to win elections.
This would scare lower government officials from mismanaging public funds. However, if she is merely cautioned, officials in local governments may take it as an opportunity to continue siphoning public funds.
I am afraid that the corruption culture has already influenced even some newly elected MPs, given the fact that Justine Nameere was arrested on suspicion of hiding money allegedly meant to destabilize the election of Rt. Hon. Oboth Oboth as Speaker of Parliament. Although she was later released, the impact had already been felt.
As of now, the newly elected Woman Member of Parliament for Amuria District, Maggie Etilu, is being held on suspicion of collaborating with the former Speaker of Parliament.
Yes, there are some corrupt officials who have not yet been caught in the wider anti-corruption net. Since the former Speaker has landed in that net, she should be used as an example to others who may want to undermine the current government through corruption.
In fact, to me, Anita Among’s actions as a woman are unbelievable because her apparent love for money has made me wonder whether Jesus Christ was sold by Judas or by Judith.
Therefore, in the fight against corruption, Among should first be sent to prison, where Agnes Nandutu is currently serving her four-year imprisonment sentence for stealing iron sheets meant for the people of Karamoja.
The writer is a senior journalist.
