JOHN BAPTIST

The Democratic Party has called upon the government to stop interfering with the police and the Inspectorate of Government in the fight against corruption by creating several anti-corruption units.

Ismail Kiriya, the deputy party spokesperson, made the call as he addressed the press at their headquarters in Kampala.

This comes days after President Museveni created the State House Revenue Intelligence and Strategic Operations Unit to oversee Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) operations and fight corruption within the tax administration system.

Following allegations of grave corruption in parliament, ministries, departments and agencies, President Museveni created the State House Revenue Intelligence and Strategic Operations Unit to oversee Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) operations and fight corruption within the tax administration system. He also appointed Mr David Kalemera as a Senior Presidential Advisor and Head of the Unit

This adds to the already existing State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Police and the Inspectorate of Government, all playing the role of fighting corruption.

However, the Democratic Party opposes this move by the president saying the units will render the work of the police and Inspectorate of Government useless as according to them these will fear to act due to the presidential installed units.

According to Ismail Kiriya the DP Deputy Spokesperson, the police and IGG should be left to independently execute their mandate without interference from the   State House. He believes this is the only way to curb corruption in Uganda.

Much as the speaker of Parliament defended the institution as corruption-free, Ismail confirms its existence not only in parliament but all other agencies including the state house. He says the creation of these anti-corruption units is not done in the will to fight the vice but rather to create jobs for relatives and close friends.

Concerning the postponement of Local Council elections for more than six months, Ismail further advises the president to divert the funds he allocated to Roko Construction Ltd to the local council elections saying these play a pivotal role in the governance of Ugandans.