Bribery Epidemic: Over 35% of Uganda’s Public Servants Bought Jobs, IGG Reports
More than 35% of public servants in Uganda reportedly paid bribes to secure employment, according to a new investigation by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), raising serious concerns about the integrity of the country’s public service.
IGG Beti Kamya warned that many of those recruited through corruption may not have possessed the necessary qualifications for their positions.
“Somebody showed us they went to the bank or their SACCO and borrowed Shs 30 to 40 million just to pay for a job,” Kamya said. “And they do it because they know as district engineers, for example, they can recover that money from just one contract.”
The findings stem from a comprehensive study into the financial and social impact of corruption in Uganda’s District Service Commissions. The survey revealed that job seekers were asked for Shs 78 billion in bribes, of which Shs 29 billion was actually paid.
Corruption in recruitment — often expressed through bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, and other illicit financial flows has undermined service delivery and drained government resources.
The IGG estimates that Uganda loses Shs 10 trillion annually due to corruption, resulting in poor infrastructure, delayed projects, low investment, weak social services, and even loss of life.
The education sector emerged as the most affected, accounting for Shs 36.9 billion of bribes paid. Entry-level positions in the 20 districts surveyed required bribes averaging Shs 3 million, while senior roles demanded between Shs 40–50 million. The shortlisting stage of recruitment was identified as particularly opaque and prone to malpractice.
“If they are not qualified and they bought the jobs, should we really be surprised when new school buildings collapse or show cracks just months after construction?” Kamya asked.
Over the last three years, more than 400 public officers have been dismissed for securing jobs through bribery or forged documents.
“Of those, 276 officers were interdicted and referred to their respective District Service Commissions for disciplinary action,” Kamya revealed.
Despite these efforts, a culture of silence persists. Ben Kumumanya, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, urged citizens to speak out.
“People give money, keep quiet, and everyone pretends nothing happened. Today, what we take home is this: Let people speak out,” he said.
Political favoritism also fuels corruption, with some district leaders reportedly using recruitment to reward allies. Herbert Otim, Chairperson of the District Service Commission in Kapelebyong, highlighted the central role of Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs).
“The CAO controls the budget, can remove you from the payroll, or even deny you transport. That’s a powerful office, and not easy to talk about but it’s central to this problem,” Otim said.
With corruption deeply embedded in recruitment, stakeholders are calling for urgent reforms to ensure District Service Commission appointments are based on merit, rather than bribes or political connections.
