News
IGG advises ministers Barugahara, Nameere to avoid legal pitfalls in anti-graft drive
Fighting corruption requires a collective effort but stressed that every institution must operate within the law to avoid undermining the anti-corruption drive through unlawful actions.
Deputy Inspector General of Government (D/IGG), Anne Muhairwe. (File photo)
By: Dedan Kimathi, Journalist @New Vision
___________________
The Deputy Inspector General of Government (D/IGG), Anne Muhairwe, has advised Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara and his deputy, Justine Nameere, to exercise legal caution in their anti-corruption crusade.
Muhairwe made the remarks on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) while interacting with Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee chaired by John Teira (Bugabula North).
Muhairwe said it was necessary for all parties combating the deep-rooted vice of corruption to avoid legal pitfalls. She dismissed claims that the existence of multiple anti-corruption agencies amounts to a vote of no confidence in her office.
“Like, we have continuously stated, it (fighting corruption) cannot be a one-man effort. Everybody is welcome. We applaud the ministers of local government for joining us in the fight against corruption, but I think the honourable ministers need to be very careful on how they conduct this business,” she said.
She added: “We need to be careful how we tread during the anti-corruption fight because we risk unnecessary suits because the ministers don’t have powers to interdict. Just like the Inspectorate of Government, we order the responsible officers. So, if you are at a rally and publicly order for interdiction, I think it may have some legal implications.”
Muhairwe's comments followed concerns that were raised by several MPs, including Cohen Amanya Kyampene (Igara West), Abdullah Kiwanuka (Mukono North) and Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola (Kawempe North).
“Like, we have continuously stated, it (fighting corruption) cannot be a one-man effort. Everybody is welcome. We applaud the ministers of local government for joining us in the fight against corruption, but I think the honourable ministers need to be very careful on how they conduct this business,” she said.
She added: “We need to be careful how we tread during the anti-corruption fight because we risk unnecessary suits because the ministers don’t have powers to interdict. Just like the Inspectorate of Government, we order the responsible officers. So, if you are at a rally and publicly order for interdiction, I think it may have some legal implications.”
Muhairwe's comments followed concerns that were raised by several MPs, including Cohen Amanya Kyampene (Igara West), Abdullah Kiwanuka (Mukono North) and Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola (Kawempe North).
“How do you feel, madam deputy IGG, when we have the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, then we have Balaam; doesn’t it show you that actually you are not doing enough? Maybe you have sanctioned the President to assign these offices, so that you cannot reach each and everywhere on time. That’s why these offices are coming in. Otherwise, if you were doing everything on the spot, there would be no reason for such,” Kiwanuka argued.
On his part, Kyampene said, “There seems to be a public outcry on service delivery, and we are seeing Balaam taking over your work. As IGG, don’t you feel that this is an indictment on you? Public officers are being interdicted by the minister, don’t you have officers in those areas? Under the constitution and law, you are the one who is mandated to do the work that minister Balaam is doing. Should we assume that you have abdicated your role and given your office to the local government ministry?”
Abdu Swaib Kampanya (Iki-Iki county) said, “I’m interested in knowing the cases you deal with; my brother has talked of big and small fish. You realise that you are faced with people who are involved in these corruption scandals, who are very powerful in this country. May I know about your security? Could it be one of the things hindering you from executing your mandate? Because you could be afraid of the consequences that might follow after following up with these people.”
Responding to the allegations, Muhairwe said there is so much that her entity does, which the public seems not to be aware of. “But we cannot act before cameras because of the restrictions under the law. The other day I was addressing the cabinet in Kyankwanzi; the first person who asked me a question was the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister (Robinah Nabbanja). We had arrested OPM (Office of the Prime Minister) officials, and I think they were in the press, and she was saying, ‘Why is the IGG acting in the press?’ I thought she would applaud us for being transparent and bringing investigations to the press. So, we cannot act the way the public wants us to act by showing you what we are doing,” Muhairwe explained.
On his part, Kyampene said, “There seems to be a public outcry on service delivery, and we are seeing Balaam taking over your work. As IGG, don’t you feel that this is an indictment on you? Public officers are being interdicted by the minister, don’t you have officers in those areas? Under the constitution and law, you are the one who is mandated to do the work that minister Balaam is doing. Should we assume that you have abdicated your role and given your office to the local government ministry?”
Abdu Swaib Kampanya (Iki-Iki county) said, “I’m interested in knowing the cases you deal with; my brother has talked of big and small fish. You realise that you are faced with people who are involved in these corruption scandals, who are very powerful in this country. May I know about your security? Could it be one of the things hindering you from executing your mandate? Because you could be afraid of the consequences that might follow after following up with these people.”
Responding to the allegations, Muhairwe said there is so much that her entity does, which the public seems not to be aware of. “But we cannot act before cameras because of the restrictions under the law. The other day I was addressing the cabinet in Kyankwanzi; the first person who asked me a question was the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister (Robinah Nabbanja). We had arrested OPM (Office of the Prime Minister) officials, and I think they were in the press, and she was saying, ‘Why is the IGG acting in the press?’ I thought she would applaud us for being transparent and bringing investigations to the press. So, we cannot act the way the public wants us to act by showing you what we are doing,” Muhairwe explained.