📷 Job sales rampant in government agencies — IGG Kamya

________________

The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, has expressed grave concern over the widespread sale of jobs in the public sector, particularly at the district level, describing it as a major obstacle to effective service delivery and good governance.

Kamya made the remarks on Thursday, July 3, while addressing the press on the sidelines of a public dialogue on innovations in complaints handling in public offices and the role of the Leadership Code in fighting corruption.

The event was organised by the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity (DEI) in the Office of the President at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

The IGG previewed a forthcoming report that highlights extensive corruption in the recruitment of civil servants. The report draws from investigations conducted between May and December last year, covering 58 districts, including Apac, Agago, Omoro, Arua, Budaka, Ntungamo, and Mubende.

Kamya revealed that corruption within district service commissions (DSCs) is rampant, with job applicants frequently required to pay bribes regardless of their qualifications.

“Whether you are qualified or not, you have to pay. But even more than qualifications, what matters most is connections,” Kamya said.

“Often, district chairpersons reward people they know. Ironically, many of those awarding jobs are themselves unqualified but manage to secure positions due to influence and favouritism.”

She further noted that individuals who acquire jobs through bribery often go on to perpetuate the same vice, thereby deepening corruption within public institutions.

“I have conducted extensive investigations, and the majority of complaints we receive point to the same issue. Time and again, complainants are proven right. This corruption cuts across nearly every advertised public job,” Kamya said.

Christine Byiringiro, programme manager at the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda, echoed Kamya’s concerns, stating that bribery has deeply infiltrated recruitment in public service.

“Public service has become so commercialised that you often have to pay to secure a job,” Byiringiro said.

“As a result, many unqualified individuals occupy critical roles, while more competent professionals remain unemployed.”

She added that this trend significantly undermines service delivery across the country.

“Unqualified individuals not only lack the technical know-how but also prioritise personal gain over public service. Many aim to recover the money they spent to buy their jobs, leading to widespread mismanagement,” she said.

Byiringiro warned that the consequences of corruption are dire, with vital infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, and markets often poorly constructed or inadequately maintained. This, she said, hampers national development and slows economic growth.