In a resounding warning to corrupt public officials across Uganda, the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has today sentenced the former Chairperson of the Rakai District Service Commission, David Mpuga, to five years in prison or a UGX 7.2 million fine after he was found guilty of soliciting bribes from job seekers.
Mpuga, a key figure in the district’s human resource machinery, was convicted for demanding UGX 20 million from a candidate applying for the position of Agricultural Officer. The former chairperson allegedly promised the job in exchange for the hefty sum — a practice that has become alarmingly rampant in local government recruitment circles.
In a plea bargain agreement, Mpuga agreed to compensate the victim with UGX 30 million and was also barred from holding any government position for the next 10 years. This marks one of the most high-profile convictions involving the abuse of district recruitment powers for personal enrichment.
Nationwide Crackdown Underway
The sentencing comes amid a broader anti-graft operation spearheaded by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit targeting the sale of public jobs by District Service Commissions (DSCs) across the country.
Recent arrests have already been made in Mpigi and Gomba, and investigators have confirmed that operations are being scaled up to cover more districts in a bid to dismantle what is now seen as a network of local government corruption.
A senior official from the Anti-Corruption Unit, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“This is just the beginning. We have credible evidence of a cartel operating in several districts where job seekers are extorted for bribes ranging from UGX 5 million to UGX 50 million, depending on the position.”
A Warning Shot To Public Officials
The conviction of Mpuga is being hailed as a milestone in Uganda’s war against corruption, especially in the public sector recruitment process which has long been criticized for favoritism, bribery, and nepotism.
Civil society groups and anti-corruption watchdogs have welcomed the ruling, calling it a “step in the right direction” toward restoring integrity in public service.
Local residents in Rakai expressed mixed reactions, with some calling for the recovery of more stolen funds and prosecution of other commission members suspected of being involved in similar scams.
“Mpuga is not the only one — there are others who have turned government jobs into a private business,” said a teacher in Rakai who preferred anonymity. “We want thorough investigations and more arrests.”
With the State House Anti-Corruption Unit intensifying investigations, Ugandans are likely to witness more arrests and prosecutions in the coming weeks as the government sends a clear message that “public offices are not for sale.”
For now, the conviction of David Mpuga stands as a cautionary tale — that no official is above the law, and the days of buying and selling public service jobs may be numbered.