The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) has criticised Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara over what it describes as the arbitrary arrest and public humiliation of engineers serving in local governments.
In a statement, UIPE President Eng. Peterson Mwesiga said the institution fully supports President Yoweri Museveni’s renewed fight against corruption but warned that the campaign should not undermine the rights, dignity, and professionalism of engineers.
“While UIPE fully supports the President’s renewed crackdown on corruption, we believe that the gains of this fight are lost when it is reduced to a public spectacle, a mockery, and theatrical grandstanding by powerful and overzealous government officials,” Mwesiga said.
The engineers’ professional body said the recent arrests of engineers and other officials in districts including Bulambuli and Mbale were carried out without adequate technical investigations.
According to Mwesiga, issues relating to the quality of roads or the scope of public works cannot be conclusively determined by politicians during public rallies.
“Arresting engineers arbitrarily, without understanding the planned scope of works and quality specifications, only serves to humiliate and demoralise technical staff and worsen service delivery. Such arrests should be preceded by adequate investigations supported by competent technical personnel and must follow due process,” he said.
UIPE also questioned why a minister should assume the role of an arresting officer based on information received during a public rally, instead of allowing the relevant investigative agencies to carry out their mandate.
The institution announced that it has commenced its own review of the cases involving the arrested engineers and pledged to defend any members whose rights may have been violated.
“Engineering professionals in the civil and public service shall no longer be soft targets and punching bags for ministers scapegoating the real, systemic issues that must be confronted to fight corruption,” Mwesiga said.
UIPE reiterated its commitment to supporting the government’s anti-corruption campaign and said it stands ready to provide technical expertise to ensure investigations into public infrastructure projects are conducted professionally, fairly, and in accordance with due process.
