Kerry Howard Mwesigwa
In a shocking turn of events, three members of the Hoima City Service Commission have been charged and remanded by the Hoima Chief Magistrates Court. Chairperson Amir Nsamo, along with Commissioners Bategeka Donald and Bigabwaa Ibrahim, now face charges of forgery and conspiracy to commit a felony, following accusations of manipulating job scores in a fraudulent recruitment scandal.
The controversy unfolded in October 2022 when the Hoima City Service Commission advertised job vacancies and commenced the recruitment process. After conducting interviews and evaluating more than 38 applicants, it was discovered that the accused officials had unlawfully tampered with the results to favor four individuals.
Concerned citizens brought the matter to the attention of the Anti-Graft Unit, which promptly initiated an investigation into the alleged wrongdoings of the commissioners. The subsequent probe revealed that the officials’ actions violated the established guidelines of the Public Service Commission.
During the court proceedings, shocking details emerged. It was revealed that between March and May 2023, while serving at the Hoima City Council, the three suspects had illicitly tampered with the scores of applicants vying for various job positions. The charges against them include forgery and conspiracy to commit a felony, as stipulated under sections 342, 345 B, and 347 of the Penal Code Act.
The court established that Conrad Mugume, Haawa Ayesiza, Nelson Kiiza, Shakira Nakato, and John Muhuruzi were among the victims whose scores were unlawfully altered by the accused officials. These alterations were made with the clear intention of granting unfair advantages to the favored individuals, placing them ahead of their competitors.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate George Nfitundinda at the Hoima Chief Magistrate’s Court, the accused individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their legal representative, Chris Mwebaza, sought bail on their behalf, citing health concerns. However, due to the late hour, the request was denied, and the accused officials were subsequently remanded to Kiryateete Government Prison. A bail hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, 14th 2023, where their application will be reviewed. This scandal has cast a dark shadow over the integrity of the Hoima City Service Commission and raised serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of the recruitment process. As the legal proceedings continue, the affected applicants and the public at large eagerly await justice and a thorough investigation into the fraudulent practices that occurred within the commission.
