In a breathtaking display of political hypocrisy, President Yoweri Museveni has once again revealed the depths of his contempt for accountability and justice in Uganda. On October 3, 2024, Museveni granted a presidential pardon to John Muhabuzi Kashaka, the former Permanent Secretary for Local Government, convicted for his role in the infamous UGX 4.2 billion bicycle scam. This scandal, which saw government funds allocated for essential bicycles intended for parish and Local Council chairpersons instead diverted into the pockets of corrupt officials, is a clear demonstration of the rampant corruption that has plagued Museveni’s regime.
Kashaka and his accomplice, former principal accountant Henry Bamutura, were convicted in 2014 by Anti-Corruption Court Judge Catherine Bamugemereire. They were not just found guilty of financial impropriety; they were sentenced to 10 years and 10 days in prison and barred from holding any government position for a decade. The judge’s ruling was a rare beacon of hope in Uganda’s judicial system, which has often been criticized for being manipulated by the very politicians it is supposed to hold accountable. But Museveni’s recent pardon signifies a devastating blow to that hope, showcasing the president’s commitment to protecting his own rather than upholding the rule of law.
Kashaka’s release, based on powers granted under Article 121(1)(a) of the 1995 Constitution, is not merely an act of leniency; it is a calculated political maneuver. Museveni’s administration has long been accused of orchestrating a culture of impunity among its elite. By pardoning a man who orchestrated such a flagrant theft from the Ugandan people, Museveni sends a clear message: corruption will be rewarded, not punished. This incident, and the accompanying lack of repercussions for Kashaka, highlights the absurdity of a justice system that only seems to work for the ruling class.
The assistant PRO for the prisons service, Moses Sentalo, noted that Kashaka served only five years and two months before being freed—a mere fraction of the time that an ordinary citizen would face for similar crimes. The most appalling aspect of this pardon is that it includes absolution from the need to compensate the government for the billions he misappropriated. This legal travesty underscores the reality that, under Museveni’s rule, the wealthy and well-connected can escape the consequences of their actions, while the average Ugandan is left to suffer the fallout from the corrupt machinations of their leaders.
The context of this pardon is even more grotesque considering that Bamutura, who was also convicted, had died prior to receiving a pardon. This underscores the idea that even in death, corrupt officials are not held to account. Museveni’s regime has a long history of prioritizing the interests of the elite over the well-being of the populace. Instead of punishing those responsible for plundering public funds, the president has chosen to further entrench the culture of corruption that has become synonymous with his rule.
It’s a revolting reality when the president of a nation stoops so low as to pardon someone who robbed his own people blind. This is not just a mockery of justice; it is an outright insult to the Ugandan citizens who suffer daily under the weight of mismanagement and corruption. Museveni’s actions illustrate a disturbing trend: the rich and powerful can evade justice while the average citizen continues to pay the price for their excesses. The message from this disgraceful act is painfully clear: in Uganda, greed and corruption are not only tolerated; they are celebrated, and those in power are rewarded for their nefarious deeds.
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