Staff shortages cripple Kapelebyong as 448 removed from payroll

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Kapelebyong district is grappling with a staffing crisis following the Ministry of Public Service’s recent decision to remove 448 civil servants from the payroll system.

According to Francis Akorikin, the district chairperson, this drastic measure has severely impacted service delivery, particularly in the education and health sectors.

In a statement on March 17, 2025, Akorikin confirmed that most of the affected staff are from these sectors and have not received their February salaries. 

He criticised the ministry’s decision, citing Kapelebyong’s ongoing struggles with Karamojong cattle raids, drought, and flooding, now worsened by low staffing levels.

Akorikin urged the public service ministry to reinstate the affected workers, emphasising that half of the district’s workforce has been affected. He warned that closing education and health departments for a staff verification process in Kampala—expected to last over two weeks—would have a devastating impact on service delivery.

He called on the verification team to conduct the process within Kapelebyong district, arguing that the affected staff had already been cleared by the Inspectorate of Government.

Meanwhile, Rodah Oroma, the chief administrative officer of Kapelebyong, reassured staff that the public service ministry would send a team to oversee the verification process and work towards reinstating those affected. 

She outlined the necessary requirements for reactivation, which include a copy of the minute extracts from their original employment districts and documents submitted during the 2023 national validation exercise.

Joseph Ebele, the headteacher of Acinga Primary School, described the challenges staff are facing, including the financial strain caused by salary delays and the difficulty of obtaining the required documentation from their original employment districts. 

He stressed the urgency of finding a solution to prevent further disruption to education and health services in the district.

In response, Akorikin urged staff to remain calm, assuring them that the district commission was actively organising the necessary files for verification and clearance by the Ministry of Public Service in Kampala.

The situation in Kapelebyong remains critical, with schools and health centres struggling to operate without essential staff. District leaders continue to push for urgent intervention, with Akorikin underscoring the need for immediate action.