Muhwezi Issues Tough Warning to Elgon Intelligence Officers: Deliver or Face Dismissal

The Minister of Security, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Hon. Jim Muhwezi, has issued a stern warning to intelligence officers in the Elgon region, urging them to shun corruption, remain professional and effectively execute their duties or risk removal from office and disciplinary action.

Speaking on Wednesday shortly after meeting GISOs, DISOs and RISOs at Wash & Wills Hotel in Mbale City, Muhwezi said intelligence officers must clearly understand their responsibilities and the expectations of government.

He emphasised that their primary responsibility is to identify irregularities, detect threats and prevent wrongdoing before it occurs, particularly the misuse and abuse of public resources.

“We expect them to detect wrong things and stop them before they happen, like abuse of government money,” Muhwezi said.

The minister cautioned intelligence operatives against allowing themselves to be compromised or recruited by corrupt civil servants at district and sub-county levels, describing some of the officials as “hyenas.”

He urged the officers to embrace patriotism and put national interests above personal gains, saying their commitment to duty was essential in maintaining stability and order in the country.

Muhwezi further clarified that intelligence officers are not investigators but are expected to gather intelligence, identify threats against the state and detect criminal activities before they happen.

“Make sure you do your work well. We want to see order in the country,” he told the officers.

On monitoring government programmes, the minister directed intelligence operatives to take a proactive approach by demanding written information from government officials, ranging from Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) to parish chiefs.

He said such information would enable them to effectively monitor the implementation of government projects and programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), school construction projects and other public initiatives.

The officers were also tasked with monitoring teacher absenteeism and verifying actual pupil enrolment figures in schools to establish whether government resources are being utilised as intended.

Muhwezi challenged them not to wait for intervention from State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara before fulfilling their responsibilities in monitoring government programmes.

The minister also warned intelligence officers against taking sides in political contests, particularly within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), cautioning that political involvement could fuel divisions and undermine their professional responsibilities.

He urged them to remain neutral, impartial and open-minded while executing their duties.

Describing intelligence operatives as freedom fighters and revolutionaries, Muhwezi recalled their contribution during the liberation struggle, when, according to him, they worked without pay because of their commitment to building a better Uganda.

He said the same spirit of sacrifice, patriotism and dedication should guide them in their current assignments.

Muhwezi also cautioned that intelligence officers are expected to operate within their designated sub-counties and should not assume that their positions are guaranteed regardless of their performance.

He warned that officers who fail to deliver or engage in misconduct would be replaced by more committed personnel.

“If you mess up, we just remove you and replace you with those who can work for the government well. Don’t wait to be sacked, do right things,” Muhwezi warned.

His remarks underscore the government's expectations of intelligence operatives in strengthening accountability, monitoring public programmes, combating corruption and maintaining security across the country.

Source: Medie Musosi Bugisu Intellectual Media