Kisoro District NRM chairperson Dr Philimon Mateke has described corruption in the district as a “cancer”, accusing some officials of extorting money from job seekers and undermining public service delivery.
His remarks come amid a police investigation into allegations of bribery involving the chairperson of the Kisoro District Service Commission, Nshaka Erastus.
Police arrested Nshaka, 64, alongside Muhanika Aliphonsi, 61, a businessman, over allegations that they solicited Shs5 million from a person seeking employment through the commission.
Nshaka is a resident of Kanyabukungu Village, Gisorora Parish in Nyakabande Sub-county, while Muhanika is from Nshora Village, Mabungo Parish in Nyarusiza Sub-county.
The two suspects are being held at Kisoro Central Police Station as investigations into allegations of abuse of office, extortion and corruption continue.
Speaking about the matter on Monday, Dr Mateke alleged that corruption within the Kisoro District Service Commission has denied qualified people employment opportunities and compromised service delivery.
CUE IN MATEKE…..ON CORRUPTION…..RR//
Dr Mateke said Kisoro cannot achieve meaningful development unless corruption is addressed, calling for the disbandment of the District Service Commission, which he accused of being compromised.
CUE IN MATEKE……ON SERVICE COMMISSION….RR//
He said he is scheduled to meet President Yoweri Museveni next week to discuss corruption in Kisoro, particularly concerns surrounding the District Service Commission.
Dr Mateke said he intends to present the matter to the President and seek government intervention to restore accountability, ensure merit-based recruitment and improve service delivery.
Dr Mateke’s concerns come at a time when President Museveni has urged newly elected Members of Parliament to speak out against corruption, warning that the diversion of public funds is fuelling public resentment and undermining government programmes.
Addressing members of the National Resistance Movement Parliamentary Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Museveni particularly raised concern over allegations of corruption involving Parish Development Model 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,” Museveni said, referring to Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara and his junior minister, 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.
Museveni urged the MPs 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 the MPs against keeping quiet about corruption, saying silence would not help either the government or 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,” Museveni said.
The President also directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to instruct Barugahara to investigate allegations of theft and misuse of PDM funds in several districts.
He cited Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga and Buwambo among areas where allegations of PDM fund theft or misuse had been raised.
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.
“Where I heard PDM was doing well was in Kasese,” 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.
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.
