Kampala — Yesterday, the NRM government celebrated 23 years of great achievement.

Indeed, there has been a fundamental change and Uganda has a reason to celebrate.

Undeniably, there has been restoration of democracy, security of persons and property, development of human resource through the improved health and education sectors, modernisation of roads and Information Technology infrastructure. Our Gross Domestic Product has grown seven fold from sh3.4 trillion then to sh24.1 trillion to date.

Just like any developing nations there are some challenges to face and the major one is corruption at all levels of our strata. If we are to be honest, if not by commission at least by omission, every Ugandan is responsible for this evil and we should all take it by the horns and support the Government in the fight against corruption.

President Museveni on Monday announced the stringent measures to stamp out corruption by ordering the setting up of Gombolola Barazas - public fora at the sub-county level.

At the Barazas, the local leaders will be required to account to the citizens on how public funds are utilised. The Gombolola Barazas, if well implemented, will definitely facilitate development at local government level.

In these fora, the sub-county local government leadership will be required to give full accountability on how development funds are utilised. This will certainly lead to more accountability and better service delivery by the political leadership and public servants.

If the political Bimeeza's that have promulgated the political scene are anything to go by, the Gombolola Barazas could be a vital catalyst in the developmental machinery.

For long, donor partners and other stakeholders have mourned that the civil society is very weak and silent on issues of governance, accountability, democratisation and human rights.

Let us all support the Gombolola Barazas as a step towards grooming a strong civil society at the grassroots.