Gen Otafiire blasts NRM officials over rampant corruption, rights abuse

Iganga, (UG):- The Minister for Internal Affairs in the government of Uganda Gen Kahinda Otafiire has condemned the National Resistance Movement (NRM) officials who have made it a habit to ignore the principles of the party which were based on when bringing the NRM government into power.

“It is very unfortunate that most of the NRM officials are diverting from the principles that brought this government into power. Many are in corruption scandals while others are seriously abusing human rights, something which paints a bad image of the government,” Gen Otafiire said.

Gen Otafiire says that the vices of corruption and abuse of human rights are on the rise in the country and this has painted a bad image of the government because such bad practices are being practiced by NRM people.

Minister Otafiire was on Sunday, March 23, speaking during the fundraising at St. Peter’s Church of Uganda in Kasokoso, Iganga Central division, Iganga municipality in Iganga district where he urged NRM people to focus on the purpose that brought NRM into power.

Otafiire said that his fellow NRM officials have taken advantage of being in government to swindle the taxpayer’s money yet they are aiming at lifting people out of poverty. He asked NRM officials and supporters of the government to unite and fight corruption tendencies.

The fundraising ceremony to redeem church land moved on well and by Sunday, they had gathered at least Shs90m out of the total Shs140m needed and they remain with Shs50m to close the chapter. Gen Otafiire donated Shs5m and pledged to support them further in looking for the balance.

The Internal Affairs minister was invited to the function by the Woman Member Of Parliament for Iganga Hon Kauma Sauda Alibaawo to support the chrisitians in redeeming the church land.

Gen Otafiire asked the church to support the government through preaching the gospel of development and fighting poverty in Busoga. He asked them to remain united and reject differences caused by politicians, citing that it compromises service delivery and good leadership.

“There are government programmes that fight poverty but again you find NRM people implementing them, swindling the money meant to benefit others. Therefore, I call upon the church to preach the gospel of fighting poverty among our people and reject political differences,” Minister Otafiire emphasized.

The church applauded Gen Otafiire and Hon Alibaawo for supporting them in their fundraising drive to redeem the church land.