Dr.Hilderman Challenges Balaam to Go Beyond Exposing Govt Failures

Dr.Hilderman Challenges Balaam to Go Beyond Exposing Govt Failures

Former Mawokota North MP Hillary Kiyaga , popularly known as Dr Hilderman, has welcomed Minister Balaam Barugahara’s efforts to expose failures in government service delivery but challenged him to go further by ensuring those responsible are held accountable.

Kiyaga also criticised the government of Uganda, saying it appears to have started “waking up” after nearly 40 years in power.

He said opposition leaders have for years raised concerns about poor governance, corruption and failures in public service delivery, but their concerns have often been ignored.

Kiyaga made the remarks at Banga Village, the birthplace of jailed opposition activist Yasiin Sekitoleko, commonly known as Machete, where he spoke about Machete’s imprisonment and criticised the government for what he described as suppressing people who speak out against wrongdoing.

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Kiyaga said opposition politicians and other Ugandans have continuously warned the government about problems in the country, but little action has been taken.

“If this government under President Museveni had put in place a system to listen to people’s complaints, identify mistakes and correct them, we would have built a country where everyone feels comfortable,” Kiyaga said.

He accused the government of responding to criticism by using force and arresting people instead of addressing the issues they raise.

Kiyaga cited Machete, Muwanga Kivumbi, Erias Lukwago, Dr Kizza Besigye and others, saying they have faced serious charges for speaking out about what they believe is wrong in the country.

“It is unfortunate that after 40 years in power, one of the things this government has achieved is imprisoning people who criticise it. Look at people like Machete and others who are in prison, as well as Muwanga Kivumbi, Erias Lukwago and Dr Besigye. They are being charged with serious offences simply because they speak about genuine issues in the country and say, ‘You are governing us badly. Things are getting worse,’” Kiyaga said.

Questions Balam’s Government Watchdog Efforts

Kiyaga also turned his criticism to Minister Balaam Barugahara, particularly over his efforts to monitor government projects and expose failures in service delivery.

While welcoming Balam’s efforts, Kiyaga questioned why such actions were only becoming visible after decades of government rule.

“I look at Balaam Barugahara pretending that he has now started fighting the problems in the country. Where have you been all these years when we have been telling you about the failures of your government? Now should we say that you too are in the opposition?” Kiyaga asked.

He said the work being done by some government ministers is important but warned that simply visiting projects and appearing on camera is not enough.

“We see ministers in President Museveni’s government moving with cameras to show that they are working. It is true, we see them, and we appreciate it. But these public relations activities are not enough. You may be trying to show us your weaknesses, but that alone is not enough,” he said.

Kiyaga said government should go beyond exposing poor service delivery and ensure that those responsible for corruption and abuse of public resources are held accountable.

“We do not want you to simply show us the bad things. We want you to show us who stole the money and make them pay. If an engineer misused money meant for roads or did shoddy work, we want that person identified and forced to return taxpayers’ money. We do not want you to show them on camera and then use your power to protect them instead of prosecuting them,” Kiyaga said.

He, however, welcomed Balam to borrow some ideas from the opposition in addressing problems affecting the country.

Kiyaga Calls for Probe into Electoral Malpractice

Kiyaga also urged the government to investigate people who he says contributed to electoral malpractice during the recently concluded elections.

He argued that political leaders who allegedly benefited from electoral malpractice should also be investigated if the government is serious about fighting corruption and wrongdoing.

“In Uganda, you can find an MP or district chairperson who rigged an election and then goes around addressing people as if they are a good leader. They are invited to functions to address newly married couples and to schools to speak to students. But what message are they giving these children when they themselves used wrong methods to get into office? That is why our country is in this situation. May God have mercy on us,” Kiyaga said.

Kiyaga has challenged the government and Minister Balam to widen their investigations into corruption and wrongdoing, starting with Members of Parliament, district chairpersons and sub-county leaders.

He questioned how government can effectively investigate officials accused of wrongdoing when some of the same government agencies may have played a role in helping them win elections.

“We know very well that DISOs, RDCs and CAOs have helped some candidates win elections by rigging votes. Yet these are the same people government sends to monitor the work of those officials who helped them win elections. Do you expect someone who helped you win an election to ask you questions after finding out that you misused government money?” Kiyaga asked.