By Kenneth Wamatoyi
JINJA
Impending recruitment of personnel for Jinja District Local Government has been put on hold after one of the Councilors ran to court questioning its eligibility.
The Jinja District leadership and the Attorney General have been taken to court over alleged ineligibility, corruption, and lack of transparency in the selection of members of the District Service Commission (DSC).
The individuals named in the suit include Kasiba George Kalalu, Basalirwa Nold Collins, and Byakatonda Margaret, who were appointed as chairperson and members of the DSC.
Speaking through his legal representatives at SMAK Advocates on Thursday, 8th May, 2025, Councilor Mujoma Abdullah defended his decision to take legal action. He stated that his intention is to combat corruption and procedural irregularities within the district leadership. Mujoma claims that, despite prior warnings from the Solicitor General and an official response from the Attorney General, the district leadership proceeded with the DSC appointments in violation of established legal and procedural frameworks.
Mujoma further alleged that former District Executive Committee (DEC) member, Samuel Akalyamawa, resigned from his position due to concerns over corruption and lack of transparency. He reaffirmed his commitment to accountability, stating that he is prepared to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary.
In response, Jinja District LC5 Chairperson Moses Batwala addressed the legal developments surrounding the swearing-in of the DSC members. Batwala confirmed that Councilor Mujoma Abdullah, who represents the youth in the district, filed a court case against both the district and the Attorney General challenging the legality of the recent appointments.
Batwala stated that Mujoma has been involved in several legal cases in the past and alleged that Mujoma does not have the district’s best interests at heart. He cited a previous High Court case in which Mujoma was found guilty, fined UGX 15 million, and later detained in Kirinya Prison after failing to pay.
Batwala explained that the appointment process of the DSC was properly followed. The district executive nominated the members, who were then approved by the district council. The minutes from that meeting were submitted to the Public Service Commission in Kampala for final confirmation. However, Mujoma allegedly wrote to the commission, claiming the approved members were unqualified and that the minutes were falsified.
Despite the swearing-in of the DSC members, Batwala said he later received a court order dated May 6, 2025, from the Jinja High Court, instructing the district to halt all activities of the DSC until the matter is resolved in court.
Batwala noted that legal counsel has been deployed to challenge Mujoma’s claims, accusing him of causing delays that could lead to the district losing over UGX 2 billion allocated for the recruitment of new district staff. According to Batwala, the district has a two-month deadline to utilize the funds, or they will be returned to the Consolidated Fund.
He emphasized that all recruitment activities are now on hold pending the court’s ruling, and held Mujoma responsible for this setback.
The court ruling issued by Deputy Registrar Robert Mukanza restrains the Jinja District Service Commission and its appointed members — Kasiba George Kalalu, Basalira Nold Collins, and Byakatonda Margaret from assuming their roles until the determination of Application No. 0133 of 2025.
A letter from the Public Service Commission dated April 17, 2025, referenced DSC 11/191/1 VOL.4, addressed concerns raised in an appeal regarding alleged irregularities, bribery, and corruption during the nomination and approval process held on December 23, 2024. The commission confirmed that the Jinja District Executive Committee includes Ms. Mutiba Proscovia, satisfying the requirement for female representation under Section 16(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, Cap 138. This contradicts the claims made by Mujoma that the committee was improperly constituted.
The commission’s letter also noted that although there were objections regarding the regional diversity of the nominees, many being from Buwenge and Butagaya sub-counties, the council ultimately debated and passed a resolution approving them.
