Muhwezi Directs Intelligence Officers to Monitor Government Projects, Warns CAOs and Sub-County Chiefs Against Withholding Information

The Minister of Security, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Hon. Jim Muhwezi, has directed Resident Intelligence Security Officers (RISOs), District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) and Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) to intensify monitoring of government programmes and projects as part of renewed efforts to strengthen accountability, fight corruption and safeguard national security.

Hon. Muhwezi made the directive while launching his countrywide intelligence refocusing programme in the Teso Sub-region, where he met intelligence officers drawn from different levels of the security structure.

The engagement focused on strengthening the role of intelligence operatives in monitoring government programmes, identifying cases of corruption, tracking service delivery and detecting activities considered subversive to national security.

The minister emphasised that intelligence officers should not limit their responsibilities to conventional security matters but should also play an active role in ensuring that government programmes are properly implemented and deliver the intended benefits to citizens.

He challenged the officers to remain vigilant in identifying weaknesses in government implementation, exposing corruption and reporting activities that undermine public service delivery. 

CAOs directed to provide information to DISOs

In a significant directive aimed at improving access to government information, Muhwezi instructed District Internal Security Officers to formally write to Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) whenever they require information concerning government programmes and projects under their respective districts.

He stressed that CAOs have an obligation to provide the requested information accurately and within the required timelines.

The minister warned that administrative officers who deliberately withhold or delay information requested by DISOs would face disciplinary action.

According to Muhwezi, access to timely and accurate information is essential for effective intelligence monitoring, particularly in identifying irregularities, tracking the progress of government projects and ensuring that public resources are used for their intended purposes.

The directive is expected to strengthen cooperation between district technical leadership and security intelligence structures, particularly in monitoring the implementation of government policies and development initiatives. 

Sub-County Chiefs also put on notice

Muhwezi extended the same directive to Gombolola Internal Security Officers, instructing them to work closely with Sub-County Chiefs, also known as Sub-County Administrative Secretaries (SAS), in monitoring government programmes, services and infrastructure projects.

He said GISOs should formally request relevant information from Sub-County Chiefs whenever necessary to establish the status of government interventions and assess service delivery at the grassroots.

The Sub-County Chiefs were consequently directed to provide such information accurately and without unnecessary delays.

Muhwezi cautioned that failure to respond to legitimate information requests, whether through deliberate denial or delays, would attract disciplinary action.

The directive places sub-county administrative officials under increased scrutiny regarding their cooperation with intelligence officers as government strengthens efforts to monitor public programmes closer to the communities they are intended to serve. 

Intelligence officers tasked with protecting government programmes

The refocusing programme reflects the government's emphasis on using intelligence structures not only to identify and address security threats but also to support accountability and effective implementation of public programmes.

Through the involvement of RISOs, DISOs and GISOs, the Ministry of Security intends to strengthen information gathering and monitoring across regions, districts and sub-counties.

The officers are expected to identify corruption, expose weaknesses in project implementation and report activities that could undermine government programmes or threaten national stability.

Teso marks the starting point of Muhwezi's countrywide engagement, which is intended to refocus intelligence officers on their responsibilities and strengthen coordination between security agencies and local government administrative structures.

The minister's warning to CAOs and Sub-County Chiefs signals a tougher approach towards administrative accountability, with government information expected to be made available to authorised intelligence officers whenever required for the monitoring of public programmes. 

The initiative also underscores the importance of cooperation between security institutions and local government authorities in ensuring that government policies, services and infrastructure projects translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Ugandans.