President Museveni has reignited his controversial proposal to deny bail to individuals accused of corruption, echoing previous suggestions that bail should be denied to those charged with rape, terrorism, and murder.
Speaking at the ongoing Cabinet retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi District, the President urged the Judiciary to categorize corruption, especially embezzlement, as an offense ineligible for bail. “With a correct, revolutionary, and objective approach, we should easily defeat corruption,” Museveni stated in his address, which was shared on social media.
Under Section 19 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009, embezzlement—defined as stealing an employer’s money or valuable asset—is punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment or a Shs6.7m fine, or both.
The Judiciary and the Uganda Law Society (ULS) have previously argued that bail is a constitutional right, with judicial officers determining its grant at their discretion. Article 23 of the Constitution entitles any person arrested in respect of a criminal offense to apply for bail, which the court may grant on reasonable conditions.
Critics, including lawyer and opposition politician Peter Walubiri, argue that Museveni’s proposal infringes on the principle of separation of powers, undermines the rule of law, and constitutes executive overreach. Walubiri remarked, “Museveni has no intention to fight corruption because corruption is a pillar of his government.”
Opposition activist Kizza Besigye echoed these sentiments, accusing Museveni of being the architect of a corrupt system. Besigye stated, “We cannot talk about corruption, let alone dealing with it, without fighting the entity called Museveni and his family.”
In response, Faruk Kirunda, the deputy senior presidential spokesperson, dismissed these criticisms as recycled lies, asserting that Museveni’s government has established robust systems for fighting corruption and that the President is committed to a zero-tolerance policy.
Despite these efforts, Uganda’s ranking on the Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International remains poor, with the country consistently among the 40 most corrupt out of 180 surveyed globally. The Inspectorate of Government has revealed that government corruption costs Uganda nearly Shs10 trillion annually.
Justice John Bosco Katutsi, a former head of the Anti-Corruption Court, has lamented the focus on prosecuting low-level officials while high-ranking perpetrators remain free.
Anti-graft campaigner Marlon Agaba emphasized the need for tangible actions against high-level political corruption, noting that the commercialization of politics fuels corruption as elected leaders seek to recover campaign investments.
At the Cabinet retreat, President Museveni reiterated his commitment to combating corruption in both the public and private sectors, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure they repay stolen funds in addition to serving prison sentences.
