By Spy Uganda
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), working in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), has charged a Lugazi Municipality official over allegations of selling government jobs.
Mugerwa Ronald Saaku, the Probation and Welfare Officer of Lugazi Municipality, was on Friday arraigned before the Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Conspiracy to Defraud. He has been remanded until October 21, 2025, as investigations continue.
According to prosecution, between January and June 2025, in Mukono Town, Mugerwa allegedly conspired with Dr. Wataba Saadi, the Lugazi Municipal Medical Officer, and Sekikubo Mubarak, an LCIII representative from Nakisunga Sub-county—both currently on the run—to defraud a job applicant, Dr. Mukisa George William, of UGX 38 million.
The trio reportedly deceived Dr. Mukisa that the money would facilitate members of the Mukono District Service Commission (DSC) to secure him a position as a Medical Officer in Mukono District. However, after receiving the money, the job offer never materialized.
Criminal summons have since been issued for Dr. Wataba Saadi, who remains at large.
The case stems from a complaint filed on July 7, 2025, by a whistleblower to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, alleging widespread corruption and irregularities in the recruitment process by the Mukono District Service Commission. It was reported that some commission members were soliciting bribes from job applicants in exchange for employment in public offices.
Officials from SH-ACU confirmed that several related cases involving the same suspects and other commission members are still under investigation.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has repeatedly cautioned District Service Commissions (DSCs) across the country against the illegal sale of public jobs, warning that such practices undermine service delivery and betray public trust. He has directed the relevant authorities to take decisive action against those involved.
The SH-ACU reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that merit, not bribery, determines government employment, and urged Ugandans to report any cases of corruption in recruitment processes to the Unit for swift action.
