A senior official from Lugazi Municipality has been charged and remanded to prison over allegations of fraudulently obtaining money from a job applicant under the guise of securing him a government position.
On Friday afternoon, Mukono Grade One Magistrate, His Worship Osiro Jakobo Okoth Isirairi, presided over the arraignment of Mugerwa Ronald Saaku, the Probation and Welfare Officer of Lugazi Municipality, who appeared before the Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court to answer charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Conspiracy to Defraud.
According to the 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 of whom are currently on the run—to defraud a job applicant, Dr Mukisa George William, of UGX 38 million.
The accused reportedly claimed that the money would be used to “facilitate” members of the Mukono District Service Commission (DSC) to help Dr Mukisa secure a position as a Medical Officer in Mukono District.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), led the investigation that culminated in the arrest and prosecution of Mugerwa. Criminal summons have also been issued for Dr. Wataba Saadi, who remains at large.
According to court submissions, the case stems from a whistleblower complaint filed with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit on July 7, 2025, detailing widespread bribery and irregularities in recruitments conducted by the Mukono District Service Commission. The complaint alleged that certain commission members, working hand-in-hand with municipal officials, were demanding bribes from job applicants in exchange for employment opportunities in government institutions.
Investigations revealed that several other cases involving similar acts of corruption and extortion linked to the same network of officials are still ongoing.
Mugerwa, however, denied all the charges levelled against him. The magistrate subsequently remanded him until October 21, 2025, pending further court proceedings.
In recent years, the President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has repeatedly warned District Service Commissions across the country against the illegal sale of government jobs, describing the practice as a betrayal of public trust. He has directed law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies to take decisive action against officials involved in such malpractices.
The case has reignited public debate on corruption within local government recruitment processes, with calls for comprehensive reforms and tighter supervision of District Service Commissions to restore integrity and fairness in public service appointments.
