The State Minister of Finance for Planning and Economic Development in charge of General Duties, Hon. Henry Musasizi, has condemned the escalating issue of bribery in job recruitment within local governments. His remarks were delivered during the opening of a two-day workshop for the Annex 2 Programme, part of the Regional Budget Consultative Workshops for the 2025-2026 financial year, held at Agaba Center Hotel in Kabale Municipality.
Addressing key stakeholders from the Kigezi region, Musasizi expressed deep concern over the discriminatory employment practices that favor local or “homegrown” candidates over qualified applicants from other regions. He questioned the rationale behind such biases, asking whether a candidate from Arua District could stand a chance of being hired in Rubanda or if someone from Madi-Okolo District would ever secure a job in Kigezi.
“These practices are detrimental to the quality of public services,” Musasizi said, adding that prioritizing regional biases over merit limits the growth of the public sector. He emphasized that restricting jobs to locals not only hinders service delivery but also drives away skilled professionals who could contribute to national development.
Musasizi was particularly critical of the widespread practice of bribery in the education sector. He expressed disbelief that even primary school teachers, who earn just 500,000 UGX per month, are expected to pay bribes to secure their positions.
“How can you ask for a bribe from a teacher who is only earning 500,000 UGX a month?” he asked, calling it a shameful practice that exacerbates the financial struggles of already underpaid educators.
The Minister’s comments come at a time of increased public outcry over corruption and inefficiencies that continue to undermine the public sector. Musasizi urged local governments to embrace transparency and meritocracy in their hiring processes, stressing that only by addressing these challenges can Uganda hope to achieve efficient and effective service delivery.
The Regional Budget Consultative Workshops brought together various stakeholders to discuss regional development priorities and budget allocations for the coming financial year. The workshop in Kabale is expected to address not only employment practices but also broader economic issues affecting the Kigezi region.
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