By Our Reporter
In a major anti-corruption breakthrough, three senior officials from Gomba District have been formally charged and remanded over allegations of extortion and soliciting bribes in exchange for government jobs. The scandal has rocked the district and drawn sharp national attention amid growing calls for accountability in public service recruitment.
This morning, a joint operation involving the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Criminal Investigations Directorate, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions led to the arraignment of:
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Mugerwa John Bosco, Chairperson of the Gomba District Service Commission
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Muwonge Michael, Secretary to the Service Commission
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Lwanga Charles, District Inspector of Schools
The trio appeared before the Grade 1 Magistrate Court in Gomba on charges of Demanding Money with Menaces and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, and were subsequently remanded until July 25, 2025.
According to prosecutors, the two Service Commission leaders allegedly engaged in a systematic scheme between February and November 2024, during which they demanded bribes ranging from UGX 1 million to UGX 20 million from job applicants. Several victims, under pressure to secure government employment, reportedly paid the fees and were rewarded with high-ranking positions within the district.
Adding to the scandal, Mr. Charles Lwanga, the District Inspector of Schools, faces separate charges of soliciting money from headteachers across Gomba District. He is accused of promising favorable transfers and promotions in exchange for cash.
The arrests follow a presidential directive issued earlier this year, instructing the Anti-Corruption Unit to crack down on government officials involved in the illegal sale of public jobs—a practice that has eroded trust in recruitment processes across many districts.
A spokesperson for the Anti-Corruption Unit emphasized that the investigations are ongoing and that more arrests could follow. “This operation is part of a broader effort to restore meritocracy, integrity, and fairness in public service,” the statement read.
Citizens and civil society groups have welcomed the arrests, calling them a bold step toward cleaning up district-level corruption. The case is expected to set a strong precedent as Uganda intensifies efforts to fight graft at all levels of government.
The nation now watches closely as justice takes its course, with hopes that the Gomba case sends a clear warning: public office is not for sale.