Justine Nameere, the Minister of State for Local Government, has defended her strong stance against corruption, saying she respects everyone who deserves respect but cannot remain silent when public resources are stolen or mismanaged.
Nameere made the remarks while explaining her position on accountability and the ongoing fight against corruption, insisting that her criticism is not targeted at individuals but at actions that harm citizens.
“I respect anyone who deserves respect, but I have a problem with people who do wrong, especially thieves. I cannot stay quiet about it,” Nameere said.
The minister’s statement has attracted attention as she continues participating in government efforts aimed at improving accountability within local governments across the country.
Together with Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, Nameere has been involved in inspections, public engagements and monitoring exercises intended to identify challenges affecting service delivery.
The ministers have focused on issues including misuse of public funds, corruption allegations, absenteeism among public workers, irregularities in government programmes and failure by some officials to perform their duties.
Nameere said her approach is based on protecting government resources and ensuring that funds meant for communities are used for their intended purposes.
She argued that corruption affects ordinary citizens the most because stolen resources directly translate into poor services in areas such as education, healthcare, roads and community development.
The minister emphasized that holding people accountable should not be viewed as disrespect but as a responsibility for anyone entrusted with public resources.
Her remarks come amid increased government efforts to strengthen monitoring systems and encourage citizens to report cases of corruption in their communities.
Nameere has repeatedly urged local leaders and public servants to work honestly, warning that those who misuse their positions will be held responsible.
She said public offices come with obligations and that leaders must always remember that they are serving citizens rather than benefiting themselves.
The minister’s comments have received mixed reactions, with supporters praising her tough position against corruption while critics continue to demand transparency and fairness in accountability processes.
For her supporters, Nameere’s message represents a commitment to protecting taxpayers’ money and improving service delivery at the local government level.
However, some observers say the fight against corruption must be accompanied by strong institutions, independent investigations and fair legal procedures.
The remarks have also renewed discussions about the role of political leaders in speaking out against wrongdoing, especially when public funds are involved.
Nameere maintains that her criticism should not be interpreted as personal attacks but as part of a broader effort to promote responsible leadership.
She has called on Ugandans to support the fight against corruption by exposing individuals who misuse public resources and demanding accountability from leaders.
As government continues its nationwide monitoring campaign, attention remains on how local officials respond to increased scrutiny from authorities and citizens.
For Nameere, the message is clear: respect must be earned through responsible conduct, while those who abuse public trust must be confronted.
Her statement has added momentum to the ongoing national conversation about corruption, leadership and the need to ensure that public resources benefit all Ugandans.
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