Kasibante observed that arrest reports often dominate headlines, while subsequent decisions clearing suspects or acquitting them in court rarely receive comparable attention.
Jinja District Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Hassan Kasibante has urged Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara to coordinate his anti-corruption mobilisation rallies with the Inspectorate of Government (IG) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) to ensure allegations are properly investigated before suspects are publicly condemned or arrested.
Kasibante said the involvement of professional investigators would help ensure that complaints raised by citizens are assessed, evidence is collected systematically and appropriate legal action is taken against those found culpable.
In a statement addressed to Balaam, Kasibante acknowledged that the rallies provide an important platform for citizens to expose corruption but warned that allegations made before a cheering crowd should not be treated as proof of guilt.
“An allegation alone should never become a sentence delivered before a cheering crowd,” Kasibante said, cautioning against public accusations that could undermine the rights of innocent people.
He said the rallies could be exploited by individuals seeking revenge against public officials who had previously frustrated their illegal interests, particularly in land disputes and district procurement processes.
Kasibante noted that several RDCs had fought difficult battles against land grabbers and corrupt officials, often making powerful enemies in the process.
He gave an example of a land grabber who could mobilise or pay individuals to make false accusations against an RDC who had stopped an unlawful eviction.
If such allegations resulted in an immediate public arrest without verification, he warned, anti-corruption platforms could become weapons against the very officials protecting communities.
He also cited district procurement, where unsuccessful contractors may have legitimate complaints but could equally sponsor accusations against technical officers and members of contracts committees to settle personal scores.
“We must clearly distinguish between genuinely exposing corruption and weaponising the anti-corruption drive to humiliate individuals,” he said, referring to the practice locally known as okulabisa or okulagako.
Kasibante said his experience as an RDC had involved mediating complex disputes among political leaders, technical officers, contractors and community members, adding that such disagreements sometimes lead aggrieved parties to accuse their opponents of corruption or incompetence.
He argued that neither a confident speaker nor a loud accusation or an excited crowd could establish the truth in a criminal matter.
Calls for IG, CID involvement
Kasibante appealed to Balaam to involve the IG and CID in the mobilisation activities, saying their officers should attend the rallies to receive complaints, record statements, examine documents and determine the appropriate course of action.
He said authorities should act firmly wherever evidence supports allegations of wrongdoing, while protecting people against malicious claims.
“Your mobilisation efforts will be far more impactful when backed by credible investigations and due process,” he said.
The Jinja RDC said the fight against corruption should also reconsider the practice of publicly parading civil servants before investigations are completed or courts make determinations.
He cited high-profile anti-corruption operations previously conducted under the leadership of Col. Edith Nakalema at State House, arguing that publicity surrounding arrests can leave lasting damage to the reputations of people who are subsequently cleared or acquitted.
Kasibante observed that arrest reports often dominate headlines, while subsequent decisions clearing suspects or acquitting them in court rarely receive comparable attention.
He warned that this imbalance could leave former suspects facing reputational damage long after their innocence has been established, as online searches may continue to highlight the initial allegations while overlooking the final outcomes.
According to him, the consequences can extend to professional relationships, future employment opportunities, families and children, making it difficult for individuals to recover from accusations even after being cleared.
He called on media houses and investigating agencies to give equal prominence to the final outcomes of cases, particularly where suspects are exonerated or acquitted.
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Kasibante maintained that Uganda needs a strong and effective anti-corruption campaign anchored in evidence, fairness and institutional accountability.
He said public mobilisation should complement, rather than replace, formal investigations and judicial processes.
“Let the rallies gather complaints. Let investigators establish the facts. Let the courts determine guilt,” he said.
He added that such an approach would strengthen public confidence in the anti-corruption campaign, protect innocent public servants and ensure that those responsible for corruption are held accountable.
The laws of Uganda hold any suspect innocent until he or she is proven guilty by a competent court.
