The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has strongly warned that the unchecked corruption plaguing Uganda is severely undermining the future of the country’s youth, depriving them of crucial opportunities for education, employment, and social mobility.
Speaking at the launch of the opposition’s alternative priority areasfor the 2025-2026 Financial Year, held at the Parliamentary Conference Hall, Ssenyonyi sharply criticized the government’s failure to properly manage and equitably distribute national resources.
He emphasized that the funds meant for national development and essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure are being misdirected due to corruption at the highest levels.
Despite frequent claims from the government of insufficient fundsfor public services, Ssenyonyi pointed out that billions of shillingsare lost annually to inflated government contracts, mismanagement, and embezzlement of public funds.
According to reports from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), an estimated UGX 10 trillion is siphoned off each year through corrupt practices.
This massive leakage severely hinders the country’s ability to invest in its people, particularly the youth, who face a future of limited opportunities.
Ssenyonyi called on lawmakers to urgently implement effective policiesaimed at curbing wasteful expenditure and rooting out corruption across all government sectors.
He advocated for the redirection of public funds into impactful projects that will improve service delivery and create more opportunities for Ugandans, especially the youth who are disproportionately affected by the country’s economic stagnation.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Ssenyonyi emphasized that if corruption is not addressed, Uganda’s future will remain at a standstill, with young people left with no prospects to succeed or contribute to the nation’s growth.
He urged the government to take decisive action and ensure that public funds serve the people, rather than enriching corrupt officials at the expense of the nation’s progress.
By Francis Lubega
10th Mar 2025
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