New Ministers Pledge Corruption-Free Local Government as Uganda’s Service Delivery Takes Centre Stage.
14/6/2026
Uganda’s newly appointed Ministers for Local Government have taken office with a firm pledge to root out corruption and prioritise transparency, vowing that serving Ugandans not political interests will be their sole mission.
At a colourful handover ceremony held at the Ministry of Local Government headquarters in Kampala, incoming State Minister for Local Government, Hon. Justine Nameere, assured the public of a corrupt-free administration, urging all government officials especially those at district level to desist from any acts that deny citizens proper services.
“If you are corrupt, repent: we are not here to make friends but to serve Ugandans,” Nameere declared, striking a stern tone as she assumed office.
The event, themed “Welcoming the new political leadership for effective service delivery in Local Governments,” saw Hon. Balaam Barugahara take over from Hon. Raphael Magyezi, while Hon. Justine Nameere succeeded Hon. Victoria Rusoke.
Ministry staff warmly received the two new leaders, who step into their roles at a time when public confidence in local governance has been strained by allegations of malfeasance.
In a candid departure remarks, outgoing Minister Victoria Rusoke cited frustration over what she described as sabotage from corrupt officials. She revealed that some individuals had misled the President into believing she had done nothing during her tenure a claim she firmly rejected.
The handover ceremony underscores the government’s renewed focus on cleaning up local government operations, where service delivery failures often hit Ugandans at the community level most directly.
Both incoming ministers have pledged to work closely with district leaders to ensure fairness, accountability, and efficiency—signalling that the fight against graft will be a defining feature of their leadership.
No timelines for specific policy changes were announced, but political observers note that the strong anti-corruption rhetoric from the new team marks a deliberate shift in tone as the ministry seeks to rebuild public trust.
Bya Mugula Dan
