The Kisoro District Council has suspended the District Service Commission (DSC) over allegations of bribery, nepotism and irregular staff recruitment, intensifying scrutiny of the district’s hiring processes just days after the Chief Magistrate’s Court summoned district officials over ongoing recruitment disputes.
Those suspended include DSC Chairperson Erasmus Nshaka, Secretary Francesca Mugisha, and commission members Fr. Emmanuel Safari, Richard Tukamuhabwa, Peace Mbabazi and Gaudensia Busingye.
The commission members had petitioned the court seeking a temporary injunction against district authorities. They argued that attempts to halt the recruitment process and institute disciplinary measures against them would undermine the lawful operations of the commission.
Despite the petition, the officials were suspended on Thursday following recommendations by the council’s Works Committee, which called for the immediate suspension of commission activities pending investigations.
Presenting the committee report before council, Philip Ntacyotugira, the councillor representing elderly men and a former DSC chairperson, accused the commission of widespread corruption and manipulation of recruitment processes.
According to the report, 10 advertised nursing vacancies allegedly resulted in 22 recruits, while eight midwife positions reportedly produced 16 recruits. The report further claimed that one assistant town clerk vacancy led to six appointments, one medical doctor position produced four recruits, and 145 advertised teaching jobs resulted in 174 appointments.
Ntacyotugira alleged that some job seekers paid between Shs10 million and Shs15 million to secure employment.
A female councillor representing Nyanamo Town Council and Bukimbiri Sub-county also raised concerns over what she described as a gender imbalance in teacher recruitment, claiming that most recruits were female despite staffing shortages in hard-to-reach areas.
Rukara Geoffrey, the male councillor for Nyakabande Sub-county, cited a court case filed by an aggrieved applicant seeking Shs200 million in damages after allegedly being excluded from interviews.
Meanwhile, Bishubeho Louise, the male councillor for Kirundo Sub-county, accused political leaders of influencing appointments to the commission despite claims that some members lacked the required qualifications.
District Vice Chairperson Alex Nambajimana accused the commission of nepotism and bribery, alleging that jobs had been allocated to relatives of commission members.
Nambajimana also accused Chief Administrative Officer John Nyakahuma of colluding with the commission and failing to act on complaints regarding irregular recruitment.
During the council session, councillors listened to an audio recording allegedly capturing commission members demanding bribes, further intensifying calls for their suspension.
In his defence, Nyakahuma denied any wrongdoing, arguing that District Service Commissions operate independently under the law.
Council Speaker Amos Hakizimana upheld the suspension and directed district authorities to formally petition the Inspectorate of Government to conduct comprehensive investigations into the allegations.
However, Counsel Rodgers Nabaasa of A Marvin and Company Advocates described the suspension as illegal and unconstitutional.
Nabaasa further revealed that another audio recording allegedly involving the district vice chairperson, speaker and Chief Administrative Officer bribing commission members to favour certain candidates who had failed interviews had already been submitted in court as part of the evidence in the ongoing case.
CUE IN NABASSA….ON THE MATTER…..RR/ENG//
Court records indicate that the matter will return for hearing on May 26, 2026, while the main case is scheduled for June 16, 2026.
