Luwero -Outgoing councillors in Luwero District have raised serious concerns over alleged corruption in the recruitment of district staff, accusing the District Service Commission (DSC) of presiding over a flawed and bribery-ridden hiring process.
The concerns emerged on Monday during a Luwero District Council session convened to discuss reports from statutory boards and commissions.
During the sitting, Luwero District LC5 Chairperson Erasto Kibirango presented a report from the District Service Commission highlighting its achievements between November 2025 and February 2026.
According to the report, the commission confirmed 18 staff members in service, redesignated eight officers, retired three staff members, handled 27 disciplinary cases, and appointed 67 employees on probation, among other achievements.
Kibirango asked the council to appreciate the commission for its work and encouraged commissioners to continue serving the people diligently.
However, outgoing district councillors, led by Herbert Kigo, the councillor representing Kalagala Sub-county, rejected the proposal to commend the commission, citing widespread corruption in the recruitment process.
Kigo alleged that recruitment in Luwero District is heavily influenced by bribery, which he said has denied many qualified youths from the district an opportunity to secure jobs.
He further claimed that some lucrative positions are being filled through cross-district internal transfers, sidelining long-serving staff within Luwero.
“The recruitment process is deeply compromised. Today, to get even a lower-level job through the District Service Commission, applicants are reportedly required to pay at least four million shillings in bribes,” Kigo said.
“Where can unemployed youths in Luwero get such money? The incoming council should take up this matter and compel the District Service Commission members to commit themselves against bribery before their contracts are renewed,” he added.
Christine Nakabugo, the district female councillor for Kikyusa Town Council, acknowledged that there had been some improvement in recruiting people from Luwero, but noted that much more still needs to be done.
“As councillors, we have failed to recommend even a single person and see them get a job through the commission, despite the fact that we were elected by the people,” Nakabugo said.
She also accused the District Service Commission of showing more allegiance to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) than to the district council.
Other councillors said job seekers have ended up selling property of their parents to get money to bribe service commissioners .
Kibirango admitted that there have been numerous complaints regarding corruption tendencies in staff recruitment.
He further revealed that the outgoing Chief Administrative Officer had allegedly recruited staff from districts such as Gomba, Kanungu, and Sembabule through internal advertisements without consulting the district executive, leaving many long-serving local staff frustrated.
Kibirango pledged to address the issue during the new council term and warned the District Service Commission against engaging in corrupt practices.
However, he also urged job seekers to stop offering bribes.
“Recently, someone came to my office and I helped him without asking for money. He insisted on giving me money, but I refused and told him to leave. We must all reject corruption,” Kibirango
As the incoming district council prepares to swear in on Friday, one of its key challenges will be addressing corruption allegations that have reportedly plagued recruitment processes in the district.
The concerns mirror a wider national problem. Last year, the Inspectorate of Government (IG) revealed that job seekers in Uganda’s local governments paid at least UGX 29 billion in bribes between 2018 and 2022 to secure public service jobs.
According to the report, applicants allegedly paid bribes ranging from UGX 3 million for lower-level positions such as nursing assistants and Grade III teachers, to as much as UGX 50 million for senior roles like heads of department.
Former Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Kamya Turwomwe noted that more than 35 percent of public servants admitted to paying bribes to secure employment.
“Some even take out loans to pay these bribes, hoping to recover the money through kickbacks once employed,” she said.
