District Service Commissions riddled with corruption - minister
Dec 01, 2023
To strengthen the fight, the State Minister for Public Service Grace Mary Mugasa has rallied the district's service commissions to shun corruption.
Ms Grace Mary Mugasa, the state minister for public service addressing stakeholders at the conference held in Moroto Nov. 28-29, 2023. (Photos by Olandason Wanyama)
Olandason Wanyama
Journalist @New Vision
________________________ State minister for Public service Ms Grace Mary Mugasa chats with PSC officials in Moroto. RDC's [L-R] Denis Okori-Napak, George Wiliam Wopuwa-Moroto at the PSC conference held in Moroto
Although the government has placed lots of efforts in the anti-corruption fight in the country, these energies may not yield tangible results in combating the rampant bribery, extortion, and embezzlement.
To strengthen the fight, the State Minister for Public Service Grace Mary Mugasa has rallied the district's service commissions to shun corruption.
'The country is experiencing terrible humiliation and embarrassment. I hate and cannot stand corruption. What do you expect from someone who has gotten a job as a result of a transaction”, Mugasa stated on Wednesday, [Nov. 29, 2023] while closing a two-day regional stakeholder’s conference, at the “Strikers” hotel in Moroto town.
Mugasa further lamented that as a result of highly corrupt leanings, suitable candidates are always thrown out because of bad practices.
Mugasa advised the commissions to be extra careful, warning that positive change is in sight since the government will soon advertise some jobs.
She also advised that locally generated revenue should be left in the hands of the local government to help them sort out a few issues in their administrative units.
“Why should local governments collect their revenue then send it to the Ministry of Finance,” Mugasa wondered
She said the local revenue was challenging because DLGs and cities are begging while crawling but also scattering some noise.
“This is little money that should remain at the local governments to collect garbage, pay councilor allowances because it’s not easy,” Mugasa.
Karamoja
She said the government was passionate about the stability of the subregion adding that Karamoja is a cherished part of Uganda, not marginalized, very privileged.
‘Either negatively or positively we discuss the sub-region at all times during cabinet meetings,” Mugasa noted.
She said people have lots of illusions about Karamoja, but at least peace has returned to the sub-region.
"We need now to walk together,” Mugasa noted, adding the only challenge is our brothers from South Sudan and Kenya who want to cause chaos, but the issue is being handled.![RDC's [L-R] Denis Okori-Napak, George Wiliam Wopuwa-Moroto at the PSC conference held in Moroto](https://newvision-media.s3.amazonaws.com/cms/473b48cb-0df3-40c4-bc7f-4a5de5dd2ae6.jpg)
She implored stakeholders to support the government saying it was not easy to deliver services without human resources, the reason why there should be a competent human resource for guidance.
Mayor speaks
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Moroto Mary Nachap asked the DSCs to reform and begin serving Ugandans.
“We want the DSCs dying with the truth,” she noted, adding the presence of the public service commission makes the Karimojong feel they are Ugandans today.
Relatedly, the chairperson for the public service Ms. Winnie Kabogoza asked the government to allocate adequate budgets adding that inadequate funds were impacting negatively on the service delivery.
She, however, said corruption does not only involve bribery but also extends to nepotism adding that DSCs should be ashamed if they have such tendencies of stealing from the public.
“Let’s refrain from such tendencies and think of leaving legacies,” Kabogoza said, adding that the greatest cardinal role is integrity if not we shall slide into problems.
She urged the DSCs to embrace the opportunities from the two-day conference saying always revise the information you have received and work accordingly.
The conference was attended by Resident District Commissioners, LC5s, Mayors, Chief Administrative Officers, and Members of the DSCs from the Karamoja sub-region.
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