Kisoro District Service Commission Suspended Amidst Graft Allegations

The Kisoro District Council has taken decisive action, suspending its entire District Service Commission (DSC) following serious allegations of corruption. The council cited concerns of bribery, nepotism, and manipulated recruitment processes as the basis for the suspension.

During a council meeting, members presented a report detailing numerous discrepancies in hiring. For instance, 10 advertised nursing positions allegedly resulted in 22 hires, and eight midwife roles led to 16 new staff. Similarly, a single assistant town clerk position reportedly saw six appointments, and 145 advertised teaching jobs culminated in 174 hires.

Accusations from councillors painted a grim picture, with claims that some job seekers paid between Shs10 million and Shs15 million for employment. Concerns were also raised about gender imbalance in teacher recruitment and the potential for political interference in the commission’s decisions.

Further fueling the calls for suspension was an audio recording allegedly capturing commission members demanding bribes. The Chief Administrative Officer was also implicated for allegedly colluding with the commission and failing to address complaints.

Despite a defence that District Service Commissions operate independently, the council speaker upheld the suspension, directing a formal petition to the Inspectorate of Government for a thorough investigation. However, legal representatives for the commission indicated they plan to challenge the suspension in court, deeming it unlawful interference with a constitutionally protected body.

This article is based on reporting from the Daily Monitor.