An officer from Lugazi Municipality has been charged and remanded to prison over allegations of fraudulently obtaining money from a job applicant.
Mugerwa Ronald Saaku, the Probation and Welfare Officer of Lugazi Municipality, appeared before Mukono Grade One Magistrate, Jakobo Okoth Isirairi, to face charges of obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to defraud.
According to the prosecution, between January and June 2025 in Mukono Town, Mugerwa allegedly conspired with Dr. Wataba Saadi, the Lugazi Municipal Medical Officer, and Sekikubo Mubarak, an LCIII representative from Nakisunga Sub-county—both currently on the run—to defraud a job applicant, Dr. Mukisa George William, of UGX 38 million.
The accused reportedly claimed the money would be used to “facilitate” members of the Mukono District Service Commission (DSC) to help Dr. Mukisa secure a position as a Medical Officer in the district.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), led the investigation that resulted in Mugerwa’s arrest. Criminal summons have also been issued for Dr. Wataba, who remains at large.
Court documents show that the case arose from a whistleblower complaint filed with SH-ACU on July 7, 2025, detailing alleged bribery and irregularities in the recruitment processes conducted by the Mukono DSC.
The complaint accused some commission members and municipal officials of soliciting bribes from job seekers in exchange for employment in government institutions.
Investigators also indicated that several related cases involving similar schemes linked to the same network of officials are still under probe.
Mugerwa has denied all charges. The magistrate remanded him to prison until October 21, 2025, pending further proceedings.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has repeatedly warned District Service Commissions against the illegal sale of government jobs, calling the practice a betrayal of public trust.
He has directed law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies to take firm action against those involved.
The case has since reignited public debate on corruption in local government recruitment processes, with growing calls for stronger reforms and stricter oversight of DSCs to restore integrity and fairness in public service appointments.
