Former Aruu County Member of Parliament, lawyer and veteran political activist Odonga Otto has launched a strong criticism against Minister Balaam Barugahara’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, arguing that although the operation has created fear among government workers, it will not solve Uganda’s corruption crisis unless it reaches the powerful individuals controlling major government resources.
Speaking during a television political talk show, Otto acknowledged that Balaam’s approach has created panic among public servants, but argued that the current focus appears to be targeting smaller offenders while leaving the biggest corruption scandals untouched.
According to Otto, fighting corruption at the lower levels while ignoring high-profile deals involving billions of taxpayers’ money is similar to treating symptoms while leaving the main disease affecting the country.
He compared the current approach to a cobweb that traps small insects while allowing bigger ones to escape, saying that Uganda’s biggest corruption problems are not caused by village officials alone but by influential people and institutions with access to huge public funds.
“There are thieves in this government who have the right of way, but you go for the engineer in the village,” Otto stated.
The former legislator said that while many lower-level government workers are now worried about surprise inspections and public exposure by Balaam, some powerful figures involved in questionable transactions remain beyond the reach of the campaign.
Otto argued that a successful anti-corruption fight must go beyond dramatic public confrontations and instead investigate major government decisions, contracts and financial transactions that have cost the country enormous amounts of money.
He pointed to the Lubowa International Specialized Hospital project as one example, questioning whether the country has received value matching the approximately Shs1.4 trillion invested in the project.
According to Otto, Ugandans deserve answers about major projects where large sums of public money have been committed, especially when citizens continue demanding better healthcare, infrastructure and public services.
He also questioned government spending on the Presidential Banana Initiative in Mbarara, saying the public expected to see clear results from the billions allocated towards improving banana production and supporting farmers.
The activist further raised concerns about government properties abroad, especially in London, claiming that Uganda once had several valuable properties but now has only a few remaining.
Otto questioned who authorised the sale of those assets and why such transactions have not attracted the same level of attention as the corruption cases currently being highlighted by Balaam.
He also mentioned the sale of Uganda Dairy Corporation, Bank of Uganda properties and other government assets, arguing that such matters represent corruption cases that can cause much bigger financial losses to the country.
Despite his criticism, Otto said he does not oppose Balaam’s anti-corruption efforts, acknowledging that the minister has achieved something significant by creating fear among public servants who now believe they can be exposed.
He said the minister’s actions have forced many government workers to become more cautious about misuse of public resources.
Otto even suggested that the impact of Balaam’s campaign could deserve recognition through a new phrase, which he referred to as the “Balaam Effect,” because of the level of anxiety it has created within government offices.
He explained that many civil servants are now discussing the possibility of Balaam arriving at their workplaces, showing that the campaign has changed attitudes towards accountability.
However, Otto insisted that the fight must move beyond what he described as “chicken thieves” and village-level offenders and focus on those he believes are responsible for major corruption scandals.
He said no one should attack a person fighting theft, even if that person begins with smaller cases, but warned that lasting change will only happen when the campaign reaches the highest levels of power.
“Hon. Balaam is doing a very good thing, but he is chasing chicken thieves,” Otto said.
Balaam Barugahara’s anti-corruption drive continues to generate debate across the country, with supporters praising him for taking a more aggressive approach against corruption, while critics argue that the campaign must expand to include powerful figures and major financial scandals.
For Otto, the message remains clear: Uganda’s corruption problem cannot be defeated unless the fight reaches the top and addresses the systems that allow large-scale misuse of public resources to continue.
