Gov’t proposes stopping operations of District Service Commissions

18 June 2024, 11:55 am

By Denis Okello

Lira

The Ugandan government proposes replacing District Service Commissions with national or regional bodies to combat corruption, following reports of bribery and misconduct.

Nicholas Abola, Commissioner for Information and Communication at the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, made the remarks while opening a stakeholders’ meeting. The meeting aimed to strategise on fighting corruption, empowering leaders to combat graft, and equipping them with knowledge on the operations of the District Integrity Promotion Forum.

The meeting at Pauline Hotel in Lira City was attended by RDCs, LCVs, security personnel, CAOs, town clerks, and chairpersons of District Service Commissions in Lango, among others. Abola stated that the District Service Commission will be replaced by a National Service Commission, Regional Service Commission, or Independent Service Commission.

He said they have received reports of bribery and sexual harassment of female job seekers by District Service Commission members. George Abudul, the Resident District Commissioner of Apac and head of RDCs in Lango, attributed rising corruption cases to pressure from the electorate, citing instances where one leader facilitates and attends ten burials in a single day.

Abudul also decried cases of fraud by individuals using the names of prominent people, citing Anthony Oyuku, the former clan head of Okadameri, who recently misused part of the 10 million shillings condolence money sent by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He said Uganda loses substantial funds to corruption, which could have been used for national development and reducing dependence on foreign aid.