Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament Justine Nameere has pledged to wage a determined fight against corruption in local governments following her appointment as State Minister for Local Government by President Yoweri Museveni.
Nameere, who is set to serve under Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara, identified the illegal sale of government jobs, extortion in schools, and irregular disposal of expired medicines as some of the key challenges she intends to tackle if approved by Parliament.
Speaking after her appointment, the 37-year-old legislator said corruption continues to undermine service delivery and deny citizens access to quality public services.
“We must end corruption that denies Ugandans quality services. The selling of government jobs, exploitation in schools, and unclear disposal of expired drugs cannot continue,” Nameere said.
Her remarks come as concerns persist over corruption within local government structures, with reports of bribery in recruitment processes, misuse of public resources, and irregularities in the management of public institutions across several districts.
Nameere, a lawyer and former media personality, is currently awaiting parliamentary vetting before formally assuming office. According to a vetting invitation dated May 28, she is expected to appear before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on June 2 for approval.
If endorsed, she will join the Ministry of Local Government at a time when government is emphasizing accountability, transparency, and improved service delivery under the new administration.
Her appointment has generated mixed reactions among members of the public and political observers. Supporters have welcomed her strong anti-corruption stance, arguing that firm leadership is needed to address long-standing governance challenges in local authorities.
However, critics have questioned whether meaningful reforms can be achieved given the deeply entrenched corruption networks that have persisted within some local government institutions for years.
Political analysts say Nameere’s success will largely depend on the level of political backing she receives, as well as her ability to work closely with anti-corruption agencies and local government leaders to enforce accountability measures.
The appointment forms part of President Museveni’s new Cabinet lineup for the 2026–2031 term, which has been presented as a team focused on strengthening service delivery, promoting economic transformation, and improving governance across the country.
