Summary:

• Bugiri District Service Commission Secretary, Nelson Kabweru, has been arrested for alleged extortion, collaborating with officials to recruit unqualified staff, and faces fraud-related charges, along with several others implicated in the recruitment process.

Bugiri District | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Nelson Kabweru, the Secretary of the Bugiri District Service Commission (DSC), has been apprehended by officials from the State House Health Monitoring Unit on charges of extortion and obtaining money under false pretenses.

According to Mpata Owa’gage, the head of the State House Health Monitoring Unit in Eastern Uganda, Kabweru allegedly extorted money from job seekers and collaborated with Bugiri LCV Chairperson, Davidson Mulumba, to improperly recruit unqualified individuals lacking the necessary academic credentials for key positions in the health department.

Kabweru claims that he was coerced by Mulumba to hire staff based on loyalty rather than qualifications, fitting them into available job placements in the health department.

Following whistleblowers’ reports on the recruitment of unqualified staff, Mpata held a meeting with Bugiri district leaders, identifying loopholes in the health sector’s recruitment process. Seven officials, including the Bugiri district health inspector, records officer, and hospital administrator, were arrested for failing to produce academic documents or providing false information.

Mulumba denied the allegations, asserting his commitment to corruption-free recruitment processes. Despite his denial, Isaac Mutesaya, initially hired as a porter but later promoted to senior district driver under Mulumba, was also arrested.

Efforts to apprehend additional suspects are underway, with the intention of charging them with fraud-related offenses, according to Diana Nandawula, the Busoga East Police Spokesperson.