Bob Kirenga

Billions lost, trust broken: Bob Kirenga calls for civil disobedience

by · The Observer

Fed up with the persistent scourge of corruption and the government’s inability to provide essential social services, Bob Kirenga, executive director of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda, has proposed civil disobedience as a potential strategy for citizens to demand accountability.

Uganda loses an estimated Shs 10 trillion annually to corruption, according to the Inspectorate of Government. This figure reflects the deep systemic issues plaguing the nation, with consequences that extend far beyond financial loss. Corruption has eroded public trust in government institutions, slowed down infrastructure development, delayed critical projects, and discouraged both domestic and foreign investment.

These failures in governance have left the delivery of vital social services inadequate, with consequences that often include the ultimate tragedy: loss of life. The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks Uganda 141st out of 180 countries, with a score of 26 out of 100—signalling high levels of public sector corruption.

The CPI measures perceived corruption globally on a scale where zero indicates severe corruption and 100 reflects a clean public sector.

A CALL FOR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

In an interview with The Observer, Kirenga expressed frustration with the state of governance, calling for bold measures to address the crisis.

“It’s high time we had a brutal discussion about the state of governance,” he said. “We may need to consider civil disobedience, where people dissatisfied with the lack of government response refuse to work or pay taxes until meaningful change is achieved. It’s a tough decision, but it may be necessary.”

Kirenga emphasized the need for collective advocacy to support marginalized groups which suffer the most from poor governance.

“If we only look out for our own selfish interests, we risk fostering a society filled with unrest. The gap between the rich and poor is vast, and many cannot meet their basic needs,” he warned.

POLICY FAILURES AND MISMANAGEMENT

Kirenga pointed to systemic failures in resource allocation, even when ministerial policy statements precede the national budget. He expressed skepticism that 40 per cent of the budget reaches its intended causes, as much of the funding is misappropriated.

“This is a direct result of poor governance and corruption,” he said.

Despite the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) consistently meeting revenue collection targets, concerns persist about how these funds are utilized. Instances of diverted or misdirected funds are common, yet the institutions responsible for oversight often evade accountability.

Kirenga called for stronger mechanisms to track public spending and enforce accountability.

“Without clean, accountable leadership, Uganda risks further decay,” he cautioned.

A LEADERSHIP CRISIS

At the heart of Uganda’s corruption problem, Kirenga argued, is a leadership crisis. He criticized the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals who, he claimed, disregard the needs and aspirations of the majority.

“We do not have a government that truly listens to the people’s needs or addresses their aspirations. Instead, a small clique holds power, undermining the country’s future,” he said.

A CALL FOR A HUMAN-RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH

The allocation of resources in Uganda fails to reflect a human-rights-based approach, argues Bob Kirenga. Principles such as participation, accountability, non-discrimination, empowerment, and the rule of law should guide resource distribution, yet they remain sidelined in national budgeting.

Kirenga emphasizes that resource allocation must prioritize marginalized groups and the poorest members of society.

“You can’t spend money repairing roads or building new ones in newly developed areas while some communities have never seen a paved road,” he said.

He also highlighted the injustice of prosecuting a 72-year-old homeless woman instead of addressing the systemic failures that led to her homelessness.

“The state is obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights,” he added.

According to Kirenga, Uganda’s governance issues—not a lack of resources— are to blame for the inequitable distribution.

“The resources available in Uganda are enough to ensure fair and equal distribution if used correctly,” he said, calling for a shift in priorities ahead of the 2025/2026 budget cycle.

YOUTH AND HEALTH AS PRIORITIES

Kirenga stresses that health and education must take precedence in Uganda’s budgeting process, especially given the country’s demographics. With a population of 45.9 million, 70 per cent of whom are under the age of 30, young people should be at the center of national development efforts.

“A country’s wealth is not measured by its minerals or oil reserves but by the skills and potential of its citizens. If we invest in human capital, ensuring that both boys and girls receive quality education, the rest will follow,” he explained.

Kirenga argues that prioritizing health and education is essential to unlocking the nation’s potential, yet current resource allocations do not reflect these critical needs.

THE NEED FOR SYSTEMIC TRANSFORMATION

Uganda’s leadership lacks commitment to transforming the lives of its citizens, Kirenga said, calling for a shift toward fairer resource distribution.

“Fair distribution means creating opportunities for young people and providing real jobs—not sending them to work as housemaids,” he stated.

He criticized the current focus on resource allocation, which he believes neglects the empowerment of citizens. Instead, investments should be made in education, health, and primary healthcare to ensure sustainable development.

Kirenga also pointed to a deeper governance problem: institutional inefficiency and duplication within the executive branch.

“Ministers, permanent secretaries, and other leaders are failing to do their jobs,” he said.

Duplicated institutions waste resources that could otherwise support key national priorities. Even the anticipated discovery of oil in the Albertine region will not solve Uganda’s problems, Kirenga warned.

“If the country doesn’t have its priorities straight, oil revenues will be squandered, and we will continue lamenting our misfortune,” he said.

A CALL FOR CHANGE

For Kirenga, the path forward lies in addressing governance issues and focusing on equitable resource distribution. Uganda’s future wealth and prosperity depend on its ability to invest in its people—especially the youth—by prioritizing health, education, and economic opportunities. Without a transformative approach, the nation risks further institutional decay and missed opportunities for progress.

A SOCIETY AT A CROSSROADS

Kirenga’s call for civil disobedience reflects growing public frustration over Uganda’s governance and corruption issues. With billions lost to mismanagement, citizens are left to grapple with inadequate infrastructure, poor social services, and deepening inequality.

His proposal for bold action, including refusal to pay taxes and work, seeks to inspire collective responsibility and force a reckoning with the government. Whether Ugandans will heed his call remains uncertain, but the underlying issues of corruption, mismanagement, and poor leadership demand urgent attention if the country is to secure a brighter future.

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