With special regard to money and bribes, Museveni has set in motion a regime of politics, where honesty and transparency are dangerous attributes. Once you enter the arena — especially in parliament and other key public offices — you have to be unethical to exist.
Let me rephrase this: You do not necessarily need to take bribes to survive. Your salary could be just as sufficient. But you need to be comfortable — and ready to ride along — with an ‘order of doing things’ where bribes and bribing are part of the cherished truths.
This is not about people subscribed to the NRM government, such as their card-carrying politicians, ministers and senior public officials. Those have their story already concluded. It is about anyone in politics, specifically folks in parliament, and senior public service: one has to be corrupt or simply ready to accept bribes — giving and taking — to be an acceptable player.
To this end, there are many “corrupt people” in public and political offices who aren’t necessarily corrupt, but are taking bribes just to keep safe. (And not necessarily giving). Please note that these are people not asking for bribes, but having found themselves in spaces where bribes are the modus operandi, the bribes come to them, and force themselves onto them.
Declining to take these bribes — however polite — is the source of all danger. Let me return to Dr Kagabo’s hitherto clean but presently messed up soul.
THOU SHALL NOT REFUSE A BRIBE
New to this corrupting world order, the humble surgeon from Lwengo came to parliament content this was a platform to work for his people. Already fairly successful as a surgeon and investor in the healthy sector, it is arguable that this man joined politics not out of desperation for material benefits, but because of heart for country.
Indeed, when he received the memorable Shs 40 million bribe in the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic, which would later bring him unintended national stardom, his clean soul could not let him keep the dirty money. This was a time when the rest of the country was under Museveni’s selfish Covid-19 lockdown.
With a little urging from his political party, the surgeon found himself in the corridors of parliament returning the bribe. But as he would quickly find out, in his own words, he had stepped on a landmine. Soon, he would find himself on his knees begging to be forgiven for embarrassing colleagues in parliament.
Talking to The New Vision, Kagabo recalled that “Although I had facts, I could not win the case. The only person who could save me was the Speaker. I was lured to refund the money by my party but after stepping on the landmine, my party could not save me from the blast.”
Thoroughly confused by the ugliness of the politics of the time, he nowadays claims belonging to the MK movement while at the same time being a member of the NUP political party. Be as it may, we ought to salvage Dr Kagabo’s wandering soul. He is a victim, and not an idiot as he continues to be ridiculed.
WELCOMING THE NEW MINISTER
I recently listened to a story where a newly crowned minister received a female visitor – seemingly in her late 30s but with amazing good looks. She had come with maps of seven plots of land — in prime areas across Kampala City — for the minister to suggest names in which they should be registered.
She had come with about Shs 70 million in cash in a brief case. The money was their small contribution to the thanksgiving ceremony, having heard the news that there would be one in the minister’s countryside. The visitor noted to the minister he was being welcomed to
the ministry just the same way they welcomed those before them. That they were happy to have him for they had plenty of good business.
The visitor did not explain with whom they were working, but it was decipherable that they were from a strong place. Then the visitor left, leaving the minister both mesmerised and scared. The maps of the plots of land were legit. (They finally took them, and registered them in the names of the children).
In this situation — with such a random, seemingly deeply connected visitor — the situation is easily readable — as multiply edged! They come as gifts, but are clear bribes, which are also difficult to decline. Because this would be declining the ministry itself – and this would be to insult the emperor!
To this end, the minister finds himself in a position where he wishes he never joined politics at all. This is exactly Dr Kagabo’s quagmire, which only continues to sink. It is worse for folks supposedly in the opposition. In parliament, the story goes that a deal – yes, a deal – is presented by NRM legislators.
They propose that on the one hand, they have to negotiate for a cut from the chief dealer, comrade Museveni, who would be harassing them to pass his cut — as “state house supplement” and “classified budget.” Aware they cannot stop him, they negotiate a cut for themselves.
But at the same time, they have to bully him into believing that they have to buy off folks in the opposition. And once the bullion van arrives, everyone has to pick their share.
Considering that our more recent regime of politicians is growing up in immense poverty, themselves and their constituencies, the temptation not to take this free cash — against the renowned dangers of resisting — is immense.
The author is a political theorist based at Makerere University.
inarticle} inarticle}
