UGANDA: USG SUPPORTED ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVIST THREATENED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KAMPALA 000013

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/07
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KCOR KDEM UG
SUBJECT: UGANDA: USG SUPPORTED ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVIST THREATENED

REF: 08 KAMPALA 01484

CLASSIFIED BY: Aaron Sampson, Pol/Econ Chief, State, Pol/Econ;
REASON: 1.4(B),(D)


1. (C) Summary: The Director of the Anti-Corruption Coalition
Uganda (ACCU),Jasper Tumuhimbise, went into hiding in late
December after publishing a "Fame and Shame" booklet on government
corruption. Funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC)
anti-corruption threshold program, ACCU's booklet is a public
perception survey in which Security Minister and National
Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General Amama Mbabazi was
perceived as Uganda's most corrupt public official. Tumuhimbise
went into hiding after he and ACCU staff received threatening
telephone calls and a visit from security personnel seeking
information on the ACCU's international donors. On December 24,
Tumuhimbise told PolOff that security forces followed him from the
eastern town of Soroti to Kampala. He blames Mbabazi for the
intimidation of ACCU staff. End Summary.



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ACCU's Book of Fame and Shame

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2. (U) The ACCU is a coalition of approximately 60 local
anti-corruption organizations. In 2009, the ACCU received
approximately $25,000 in MCC funds to survey local perceptions of
government corruption, publish an annual book of "Fame and Shame",
and initiate an anti-corruption activist of the year award. The
ACCU says the booklet is intended to praise anti-corruption
"heroes" and force "the shamed persons to reflect on themselves;
the institutions they serve; their country and their level of
patriotism." Of the 1,772 survey respondents, 30% identified
Security Minister Mbabazi as Uganda's most corrupt public official
due to his role in the 2008 Temangalo land scandal that cost the
National Social Security Fund approximately $6 million (ref. A).
President Museveni placed second on the list of shame, with 21% the
vote, for failing to hold Mbabazi, Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa, and
senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders accountable for
corruption. Other "shamed" NRM officials include Trade Minister
Kahinda Otafiire, Public Works Minister John Nasasira, and former
Health Ministers Mike Mukula and Jim Muhwezi.




3. (U) Museveni also made the ACCU's list of fame "as an unwavering
freedom fighter and anti-corruption activist." Disgraced
ex-Inspector General of Government Faith Mwondha, opposition figure
Norbert Mao, and First Lady Janet Museveni topped the fame list.
Survey respondents also positively perceived Ethics and Integrity
Minister Nsaba Buturo, who is one of the most vocal proponents of
Uganda's draft anti-homosexuality legislation, for "his
outspokenness against corruption." Minister Buturo presided over
the booklet's launching ceremony. The ACCU selected James Ogoola,
Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, as the Anti-Corruption
Activist of the Year for 2009.



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The "Shamed" Self-Incriminate Themselves Further

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4. (C) On December 19, Mbabazi criticized the ACCU's booklet and
called Tumuhimbise an "idiot" on a local radio program. On December
21, Mbabazi's niece, Susan Katono, emailed a document criticizing
the ACCU's motives, methodology and findings to EconOff. Katono
compiled the document from comments sent to her by senior
government officials with the understanding that she would forward
the information to the U.S. Mission. Katono indicated that Minister
Mbabazi and other NRM leaders were unhappy with the booklet.




5. (C) On December 23, local media reported that Tumuhimbise was in
hiding, that ACCU staff were receiving threatening phone calls, and
that security officials questioned ACCU employees on the
organization's sources of funding. Tumuhimbise confirmed this

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information to PolOff on December 24, adding that he left Kampala
on the advice of friends only to return after discovering that
security services were shadowing him upcountry as well. Tumuhimbise
said a security vehicle tailed him from the eastern town of Soroti
back to Kampala. Having spearheaded the ACCU's lawsuit against the
NSSF over Mbabazi's Temangalo land scandal in 2008, Tumuhimbise
said he is accustomed to menacing phone calls, but that being
followed by a security services vehicle is new. Tumuhimbise added
that he is using a different telephone out of fear that Ugandan
security is tracking his regular cell phone.



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Comment: Treating Critics Like Criminals

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6. (C) Under Mbabazi's leadership, it appears Ugandan security
services spend the majority their time tracking opposition leaders
and critics of the NRM. While the ACCU's analytical methodology was
not the most advanced, its list of shame accurately captured public
perceptions of Uganda's most corrupt government officials.
Mbabazi's apparent response - tasking security services to hound
ACCU employees - interferes with a USG funded organization's
attempt to improve government transparency and reduce public sector
corruption. As the ACCU's most shamed public figure, Mbabazi is
living up to expectations.
LANIER