Former Mukono speaker remanded over alleged sale of govt job

_________________

A former Mukono district speaker has been remanded over allegations that she solicited sh2 million in exchange for using her influence to help a government official secure a promotion.

Betty Hope Nakasi was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on October 2, 2026, on charges of corruption following investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), working jointly with the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

The state alleges that on June 30, 2025, at the Mukono District Local Government headquarters, Nakasi, together with others still at large, solicited sh2 million from the then procurement officer of Buikwe district.

The prosecution alleges that Nakasi claimed she could use her influence over the Mukono District Service Commission to help the officer secure a promotion to the position of Senior Procurement Officer, Mukono District, in exchange for the money.

Betty Hope Nakasi was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on October 2, 2026, on charges of corruption following investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU). (Courtesy photo)

Nakasi was remanded until October 21, 2026.

Her arrest followed SHACU investigations into allegations of the illegal sale of Government jobs in Mukono Local Government, following complaints of extortion involving members of the District Service Commission and some politicians in the district.

The unit said the investigations are in line with President Yoweri Museveni's repeated warnings against the illegal sale of Government jobs and his directive to relevant authorities to act against those involved.

Arrests over sale of government jobs in Uganda

In July last year, SHACU, working together with the CID and ODPP, carried out a major anti-corruption operation in Greater Mpigi, covering Mpigi, Butambala and Gomba districts.

The month-long operation followed a directive from the President after he received complaints from journalists and residents during his Parish Development Model (PDM) monitoring tour on June 17, 2025, regarding the alleged sale of Government jobs and mismanagement of funds in the area.

The operation in Greater Mpigi exposed what investigators described as a scheme to sell government jobs to the highest bidder. The network allegedly involved a number of high-ranking political and administrative leaders across the three districts.

The allegations and subsequent legal proceedings detail how public service, intended to be based on merit, was allegedly turned into a transactional commodity.

In Mpigi district, on June 27, 2025, SHACU arrested Martine Ssejjemba, who was then LC5 chairperson of Mpigi district; Fredrick Kirumira, the chairperson of the district service commission (DSC); and Sarah Nakamoga, the secretary of the DSC.

They were accused of asking job seekers for bribes, with applicants reportedly paying between sh50,000 and sh15 million to secure jobs in the district.

In one complaint, investigations revealed that the trio demanded sh5 million from an applicant, Herbert Butemba, for the position of assistant district health officer.

On June 30, 2025, the suspects were arraigned before the Mpigi Chief Magistrates Court, where they pleaded not guilty and were remanded.

Further investigations extended to Gomba district, where a similar scheme was exposed.

On July 11, 2025, SHACU arraigned John Bosco Mugerwa, the chairperson of the DSC; Micheal Muwonge, the DSC secretary; and Charles Lwanga, the district inspector of schools.

They faced charges of extortion and conspiracy to commit a felony for allegedly demanding bribes of up to sh20 million for jobs and promotions. The officials were remanded to prison until July 25, 2025, for a further mention of their case.

In Butambala district, the focus shifted to alleged fraudulent recruitment.

On July 24, 2025, Idris Walugembe, the town clerk of Gombe town council and former secretary of the DSC, was arraigned on charges of forgery.

He was accused of altering job application records and unlawfully “smuggling in an applicant” for the position of Inspector of Schools.

Walugembe pleaded guilty to the charges and was remanded pending sentencing.

Other officials who have since been arrested include those from Kayunga, Mitooma and Kisoro, among others.