President Yoweri Museveni has urged leaders of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to make the fight against corruption their top priority, warning that graft is undermining the government’s achievements and impoverishing Ugandans.Addressing NRM Special Interest Groups (SIGs) at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds yesterday, Museveni said corruption — especially at the local level — was draining public resources and frustrating efforts to lift citizens out of poverty.“Fight corruption in your areas. Do not allow thieves to steal Parish Development Model (PDM) funds or extort money for jobs in local government. I hear reports of people paying bribes to be employed. That must stop. Do not let the suffering of our people be caused by corrupt officials,” Museveni charged.The President noted that while Uganda’s economy has grown from $3.9b (Shs13.9 trillion) in 1986 to $66b (Shs233.8 trillion) today, the gains risk being rolled back if corruption remains unchecked. He cited the Inspector General of Government’s (IGG) recent revelation that Uganda loses close to $2.7b (Shs9.56 trillion) annually to corruption.“This level of theft is unacceptable. The country cannot develop when so much money is being stolen. NRM leaders must be the first to resist corruption and protect government programmes meant to benefit the ordinary Ugandan,” Museveni said.He tasked leaders to closely monitor the police, road maintenance funds, and public schools to ensure resources are not diverted. “If police fail to do their job, report them. If roads are not maintained despite funds being released, raise the alarm. Schools must not charge illegal fees when government has already provided funding,” he said.Museveni pledged that if re-elected, the NRM government would push through a policy of free education in all government schools to close the door to corruption around school fees collections.The NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, echoed the President’s call, warning leaders against prioritising personal ambition over the party’s mission. “We are a family. Focus on the party’s mission, objectives, and goals rather than self-interest,” Todwong said.Analysts warn that unless Uganda decisively tackles corruption, ambitious targets such as reaching a $500b (Shs1.77 quadrillion) high-middle-income economy will remain elusive.The post Museveni Rallies NRM Leaders To Take War On Corruption To Grassroots appeared first on The Insider.