State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere has defended the aggressive approach she and her senior minister, Balaam Barugahara, are using in their nationwide inspections, saying their focus is to fight corruption, strengthen accountability and improve service delivery.
Speaking ahead of their inspection of development projects and government services in Masaka on Monday, July 27, Nameere said the duo had always been action-oriented, arguing that their methods had not changed since their previous roles in government.
She said the ministers were determined to use existing laws and accountability mechanisms to protect taxpayers and public services rather than shield individuals accused of wrongdoing.
“You cannot negotiate with chaos,” Nameere said, arguing that their approach was aimed at exposing corruption and demanding public accountability.
Nameere said her experience from inspections across the country had convinced her that supervision remains critical to effective service delivery, claiming that some public servants only perform when they are closely monitored.
“Our job is very simple: end corruption and make sure service delivery is alive. That is exactly what we are doing,” she said.
She also dismissed comparisons with previous office holders, saying she was focused on delivering results under her current mandate rather than maintaining the practices of her predecessors.
“Tangible results are the only conversation we are going to have in this town. We don’t want to know who you are related to or who your godfather is. We just want results,” she said.
Asked how she had become a figure feared by people accused of corruption, Nameere attributed it to her refusal to associate with corrupt individuals.
“Because we are not in bed with the corrupt,” she said.
The remarks come amid growing attention surrounding the hands-on inspections led by Nameere and Barugahara since they took charge of the Local Government ministry.
The pair have been visiting districts to assess government projects, payrolls, infrastructure and service delivery, with the operations attracting both praise and criticism.
President Yoweri Museveni has previously said he deliberately appointed the outspoken duo to the ministry because he expected them to confront corruption and poor service delivery.
However, their methods have also drawn criticism. Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi recently questioned an approach he said appeared to prioritise arrests, advocating instead for supportive supervision to identify problems and find solutions.
The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers has also raised concerns about the public handling of engineers during some of the operations.
Despite the criticism, Nameere insists the campaign will continue, saying she and Barugahara will remain focused on fixing local government systems, improving service delivery and holding those responsible for misuse of public resources accountable.