The Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Brig Gen Henry Isoke, has urged members of District and City Service Commissions to resist any intimidation and be compromised during recruitment of staff.
Speaking during the Anti-Corruption Stakeholders Conference for District and City Service Commissions at Hotel Africana on Wednesday, 06 December 2023, Brig Gen Isoke noted that one of the drivers of corruption in service commissions is officials failing to act with firmness in the course of their duties, pleading political interference and using the excuse of acting on “orders from above”.
He observed that such excuses are a mere pretext meant to be used as a cover for their weaknesses. He further observed that Public Service Commissions have clear guidelines with Terms of References which should be their guide.
Of the 521 persons arraigned before Court by the State House Unit working with other Anti-Corruption Agencies, 282 are civil servants and 87 have been convicted.
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Brig Gen Henry Isoke concluded by pledging the Unit’s commitment to support and stand with those who are determined to fight corruption with the energy and vigour it deserves.
Deputy IGG Anne Twino Muhairwe said: “Recruitment in local governments is compromised. For instance, you find a politician employing his campaign manager, a senior four drop-out, as a district policy analyst. Sadly, such a person is approved by the service commission.”
“This must stop what services do you expect from such a person? You the service commissioners must not allow politics to cripple service delivery b’se you hold those offices in the interest of the public. You must only employ competent people to ensure better services,” she added.
In her remarks, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe said corruption in the recruitment process leads to lack of effectiveness of the public service.
She further called upon the commission members to prioritize excellence of public service through employing people on merit, experience and qualification with proven track records of transparency and accountability.
