Police in Kisoro District have arrested the chairperson of the District Service Commission, Nshaka Erastus, over allegations that he solicited a Shs5 million bribe from a job seeker.
Nshaka, 64, a resident of Kanyabukungu Village, Gisorora Parish in Nyakabande Sub-county, was on Tuesday arrested alongside Muhanika Aliphonsi, 61, a businessman from Nshora Village, Mabungo Parish in Nyarusiza Sub-county.
According to police, the two allegedly solicited Shs5 million from a person seeking employment through the Kisoro District Service Commission.
The suspects are being held at Kisoro Central Police Station as police investigate allegations of abuse of office, extortion and corruption.
The police file has been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for consent.
If the DPP grants consent, the suspects will be taken to court to answer the charges.
SP Nelson Tumushime, the Kigezi Region police spokesperson, said the force remains committed to ensuring transparency, fairness and accountability in public service recruitment.
He urged members of the public who have been victims of extortion or irregular recruitment practices to report to the nearest police station.
“Police further warns all public officials against abuse of office for personal gain,” Tumushime said.
He added that the law would be enforced without fear or favor.
Addressing members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on Friday, President Museveni warned newly elected Members of Parliament against remaining silent on corruption, saying the diversion of public funds is fuelling resentment among citizens and undermining government programmes.
Mr Museveni specifically raised concern over allegations of corruption involving Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
He said local leaders who divert money meant for PDM beneficiaries risk frustrating the government’s efforts to improve household incomes.
“I’m glad some members are doing some work — like Balaam Barugahara and Nameere,” Mr Museveni said, referring to the Minister for Local Government, Mr Balaam Barugahara, and his junior minister, Ms Justine Nameere, whom he commended for their efforts to fight corruption.
“Apparently, this local corruption where you have the LCs or some of the leaders taking the PDM money, that’s how you get local resentment,” he added.
Mr Museveni urged the newly elected MPs to use their positions to listen to citizens, expose corruption and speak out against wrongdoing.
“Therefore, now that you are elected, it will be very easy for people to tell you. If you want to be a good leader, be a durable leader, not a seasonal leader. I want you to be good leaders. Speak out,” he said.
He warned MPs against keeping quiet about corruption, saying silence would neither help the government nor the population.
“If you think that keeping quiet is good, it will not help at all. I would really like to mobilise you people to fight corruption without fear, and you will be very popular among the population,” Mr Museveni said.
The President also directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to instruct Mr Barugahara to investigate allegations of theft and misuse of PDM funds in several districts.
He cited Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga and Buwambo among the areas where allegations of PDM fund theft or misuse had been raised.
Mr Museveni recalled that during his campaign visit to Maracha, a political rally turned into a discussion about the implementation of PDM.
“In Maracha, when I went to campaign, the rally turned into a PDM meeting,” he said.
He, however, singled out Kasese District for praise, saying he had received reports that the programme was performing well there.
“Where I heard PDM was doing well was in Kasese,” Mr Museveni said, describing the programme as a potential game changer for households if properly implemented.
“PDM is a game changer for your people,” he told the MPs.
He urged legislators and local leaders to closely monitor the programme, expose diversion of funds and ensure beneficiaries receive the support intended for them.
Mr Museveni also raised concern over alleged corruption in the recruitment of local government workers, saying he had received reports that government jobs were being sold to applicants.
He cited a case in Kibale where, according to information presented to him, a government job was allegedly being offered for Shs10 million.
“Then you come to the local government. The selling of local government jobs. They told me in Kibale a government job was going for 10 million shillings,” he said.
The President urged MPs to monitor recruitment processes and ensure government employment is based on merit rather than an applicant’s ability to pay.
