Rakai DSC boss fined sh7.2m, banned from office for 10 years

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The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court on Tuesday, July 15, convicted and sentenced the former chairperson of the Rakai District Service Commission (DSC), David Mpuga, to five years' imprisonment or a fine of sh7.2 million for extorting and demanding bribes from job applicants in the district.

This followed allegations by the state that the accused solicited sh20 million from a job applicant who sought the position of Agricultural Officer.

Mpuga entered into a plea bargain in which he agreed to compensate the victim with sh30 million and agreed not to serve in any public position in the Government of Uganda for the next 10 years.

He was arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODPP), following public outcry to the Rakai Resident District Commissioner about his persistent demands for bribes for every available vacancy.

On October 7, 2024, he was charged before the Anti-Corruption Court with three counts of corruption and remanded.

Mpuga’s conviction and sentencing come in the wake of the arrest last Friday of members of the Gomba DSC and the District Inspector of Schools, who were charged with extortion and soliciting bribes.

The Gomba DSC officials, chairperson John Bosco Mugerwa, secretary Michael Muwonge, and district inspector of schools Charles Lwanga, appeared before the Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Gomba district on charges of demanding money with menaces and conspiracy to commit a felony. They were remanded until July 25, 2025.

The state alleges that the DSC members, between February and November 2024, conspired and extorted money from various applicants, demanding bribes ranging from sh1 million to sh20 million in exchange for job consideration. Some victims were eventually given senior positions in the district.

Additionally, Lwanga was charged with extorting funds from head teachers across the district, promising them better postings and promotions in return.

On June 30, SHACU also arrested Mpigi district LCV chairman Martine Ssejjemba, DSC chairman Fredrick Kirumira, and Sarah Nakamoga for allegedly demanding money by menace from job applicants.

The state alleges that the Mpigi DSC had been involved in the sale of jobs, requiring applicants to pay bribes ranging from sh50,000 to sh15 million to secure employment.

Their arrest followed a directive from President Yoweri Museveni, who, during his Parish Development Model (PDM) monitoring tour in the Greater Mpigi area on June 17, 2025, received complaints of widespread corruption in the district’s recruitment process. He subsequently instructed Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, the SHACU head, to arrest district officials involved in the sale of government jobs.

On Tuesday, the Unit confirmed it was currently investigating the sale of jobs by various DSCs in the central and eastern regions, with plans to expand the probe to other parts of the country.