The Mid-western Region Anti-Corruption Coalition (MIRAC) says the Hoima City Works Committee can be freed from corruption allegations and shoddy work only by ensuring transparency to local leaders and working with different stakeholders including the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
Mr Ismail Kusemererwa, the MIRAC Executive Director, says all the allegations could have been avoided and any corruption tendencies intercepted if all the Works Committee members had worked together from project inception, monitoring to certification of contractors for project completion.
The interview follows the recent clash between Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament, Ms Asinansi Kamanda Nyakato, and the Works Committee Secretary, Ms Margaret Monday, over alleged corruption in the road sector.
However, Mr Kusemererwa wonders that elders and members of the public have not taken corruption as a serious problem but instead some are used as a political tool.
“Corruption has been there in the city but why is it coming out now? Instead of people taking it seriously, the whole point can be watered down on suspicion that people may be looking for political favours since it surfaces during political times,” he says.
Audio: Ismael Kusemererwa in monitoring and transparency
The City Works Committee Secretary, Ms Margaret Monday, said that they had played their role well except one member who never attended the committee meetings.
“Monitoring had been done and issues raised were known and strategies in place to address them,” she said.
Corruption dynamics in road construction projects
According to Mr Kusemererwa, reducing the width of the road to be opened or rehabilitated or upgraded, reducing the kilometres of the road, reducing the layers of gravel or even not laying gravel on road
Other ways include avoiding bridges by prioritising other roads of the same length but without bridges using the same budget, he said.
Mr Kusemererwa calls upon the citizenry to always be proactive and question the authorities to make public the Bill of Quantifies (BOQ) ahead of project implementation.
“Corruption affects us all because a poorly constructed bridge can cost the life of your friend, relative and even yourself,” he said.
