One of the most poorly kept secrets in Uganda is that we’re over-administered. The government has layers and layers of state administrative infrastructure to ensure that service is delivered to the wanainchi.

Some are overt. Some are covert.

Despite these many controls, government resources are still being pilfered in abundance.

The videos from Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara’s “Expose the Corrupt” rally are deeply disturbing. It shows that the agencies of the state are either paralysed or are working actively to sabotage the state.

Essentially, the state is captured by a cabal of corrupt factotums. They’re capable, if well motivated, of overthrowing the state.

I had the pleasure, during the difficulties of the COVID-19 lockdown, of attending a course, sponsored by the Chinese CPC, on statecraft online, along with many other senior NRM leaders, who, out of necessity, shall remain anonymous.

In one of the lectures, a Chinese professor told us that all critical positions in China are held by vetted members of the CPC. They’re given key performance indicators that are monitored. China is intentional and unashamed of the vision of their party.

In Uganda, we’re like the lukewarm Christians that St John wrote about in the Scripture. The Scriptures recommend that such people must be spat out. I don’t like the methods of Balaam.

Given my background, I would prefer things to be handled in the boardroom. But there’s a reason the Chinese CPC publicly executes corrupt officials. It sends a message.

Despite the bad taste Balaam’s method leaves in my mouth, it seems it is causing the desired effect.

But the greater worry I have is that the entire Ugandan statecraft infrastructure has turned a blind eye to this entire rot at the local government.

A question has to be asked: was this sheer incompetence or an intent to cast the government in a bad light? Someone in Lira City named his shop: TIC OBEDO YIN – “The work is you.”

Are our state security agencies sleeping on the job, chasing rabbits instead of lions?

The writer, Odongo Lango, watches political and social affairs.