In a candid interview on NBS TV, Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, a respected cartoonist, academic, and social commentator, declared his firm stance against accepting a ministerial position in Uganda’s current government. The Makerere University professor emphasized that his principles would not allow him to work within a system where he believes it is difficult to enact meaningful and ethical change.
“People have been asking me if I would take a position as a minister in the current government. I tell them no because I know I can’t do what’s right in the current system,” he stated unequivocally.
Dr. Ssentongo further highlighted the responsibilities tied to roles of authority, including judicial and law enforcement positions, noting that individuals who accept such roles must fully comprehend the ethical challenges they may face.
“If you take on a position as a judge or police officer, it also means that you have understood what you are doing and what you’re in for,” he remarked, reinforcing his position on personal accountability and ethical governance.
Despite receiving offers for influential roles, Dr. Ssentongo has consistently declined them, prioritizing his integrity over political power. “I have been granted opportunities to work in certain positions, which I rejected because I knew the nature of those positions wouldn’t allow me to do what I would otherwise feel free and the rightful thing to do,” he explained.
His refusal to participate in government roles serves as a broader critique of systemic constraints that hinder ethical decision-making within Uganda’s political landscape. The professor’s views resonate with many citizens advocating for reform and accountability in governance.