The Ministry of Works and Transport is once again in the spotlight, not for its service to the nation, but for its blatant and audacious corruption. With billions of taxpayers’ money vanishing into the pockets of a few, it is no surprise that this ministry has become synonymous with graft and misappropriation. The latest scandal, involving a top official referred to as Mr. Kats, underscores the rotten core of this institution—a cesspool of thieves masquerading as public servants.
Mr. Kats, whose brazen corruption extends to awarding dubious contracts worth billions, operates with impunity, invoking the President’s name to shield his vile deeds. His involvement in the computerized Driving Permits scheme is just one of the many avenues through which he and his cronies siphon public funds, all under the nose of a government that pretends to care about fighting corruption. The whistleblower, a veteran within the ministry, has exposed this malfeasance, yet instead of support, he faces persecution and threats—an all too familiar story in a regime where speaking the truth is a crime.
The allegations do not stop at Mr. Kats. The Inspector General of Government (IGG), the very institution tasked with rooting out corruption, has been accused of complicity. Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, the Deputy IGG, stands accused of turning a blind eye to these atrocities, opting instead to protect the corrupt elite. Her actions—or rather, inactions—are a stark betrayal of her mandate, leaving whistleblowers unprotected and the public purse wide open for further plunder.
This is not merely a case of a few bad apples; it is systemic rot, endorsed at the highest levels. The Ministry of Works has become a cash cow for corrupt officials who steal with reckless abandon, while essential services crumble. The misappropriation of over UGX 100 billion meant for Motor Vehicle Registration, a project that remains incomplete, is a testament to the grand scale of this theft.
The silence from those in power, including the President, is deafening. This is not just negligence; it is tacit approval, a sign that corruption is not only tolerated but expected. The bloodsuckers in the Ministry of Works are emboldened by the lack of accountability, and the cycle of theft continues unabated. Uganda’s Ministry of Works is not just corrupt—it is a criminal enterprise, robbing the nation blind while pretending to build it.
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