Luuka: The Chairperson of Luuka District Service Commission, Mr. Paul Isabirye, has denied allegations of misconduct leveled against him. In a detailed response, Isabirye maintained that the claims are baseless, malicious, and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
The allegations, made by members of the Luuka District Service Commission, accused Isabirye of delaying the signing of minutes from a commission meeting because he preferred a different candidate for the position of Senior Clinical Officer.
They also alleged that he solicited and received a bribe of UGX 17,000,000 (Uganda Shillings Seventeen Million) from a candidate, Sylivia Baisemubaka, to help her secure the position.
However, Mr. Isabirye denied these allegations, stating that the recruitment process for the position of Senior Clinical Officer was conducted in accordance with established procedures and guidelines. He also provided evidence showing that the candidate who was selected for the position was the best performer in the interviews.
“Please note that at the time of submitting this response, I have not seen any evidence or documentation to support the allegations against me. The allegations are baseless, malicious, and aimed at spoiling my name,” Mr. Isabirye wrote in a defense letter to the district chairman, dated January 10, 2025.
Regarding the bribery allegation, Isabirye stated that he had no knowledge of any transaction between Mr. George Mudhuli, a person who claimed to have received money from Sylivia, and the candidate. He also provided evidence showing that Mr. Mudhuli had committed to refunding the money to Sylivia.
According to him, candidates were informed about the outcomes of the interviews held on October 25, 2024, where Mr. Richard Otim emerged as the best and successful candidate. To his surprise, Ms. Sylivia Baisemubaka stormed his home, located at Buwala village in Irongo Subcounty, complaining about not being able to get the job and subsequently demanded a refund of her money amounting to Shs 17 million.
“I asked her whether she had ever given me money, and she confirmed that she gave it to one George Mudhuli, who promised he would talk to me so that, in exchange for the money, she could get the job. Mudhuli acknowledged it when I called him,” he said.
Mr. Isabirye stressed that he never had any knowledge of the arrangements between Mr. Mudhuli and the candidate, but rather the embattled suspect had used the name of the commission chairperson to defraud the struggling clinical officer.
Busoga Today learned that on December 30, 2024, Mr. Mudhuli, who had initially committed to refunding the money, paid Shs 13 million to Ms. Baisemubaka and pledged to clear the remaining balance of Shs 4 million on January 6, 2025. This was in vain, prompting his arrest by the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC).
Isabirye also denied allegations that he was summoned by the police to answer charges related to his conduct as Chairperson of the Commission. He stated that he had cooperated with the police in their investigations and had provided a statement to clarify his role in the recruitment process.
The Chairperson accused the District Chairperson of Luuka, Mr. Simon Wakaze, of being behind the allegations, stating that they were politically motivated and designed to tarnish his reputation.
He also accused the district political head of interfering with the work of the Commission, which has affected its independence and impartiality.
“Whereas district service commissions are expected to be independent in the execution of their duties, your [district chairperson] interference and influence in the commission’s work have greatly affected its independence and impartiality,” Mr. Isabirye further lamented.
He alleged that, “As the political head of the district, your actions suggest a strategy to influence public perception for electoral gain, rather than uphold the principle of justice and good governance. Such actions risk eroding public trust in the impartiality and professionalism of the district’s leadership.”
Isabirye has called on the District Chairperson to desist from making defamatory statements about him and has instructed his lawyers to advise him on the way forward.
This matter remains surrounded by unanswered questions regarding the unidentified individuals who reportedly recommended Mr. Richard Otim as the favored candidate to commission members during the interviews. Mr. Isabirye asserted that this information was recorded for evidential purposes but lamented that it undermined the commission’s independence and impartiality.
“During the interviews, it was obvious that the recommended candidate [Richard Otim] was given almost 100% in the technical area, despite not performing well, and still ranked as the best candidate from the interviews. This was typical influence on the process that should have been handled independently,” the Service Commission Chairman cried out.
The relevance of the district service commission is underscored by its pivotal role in managing human resource functions in local governments, as provided for under Article 200(1) of Uganda’s Constitution, Section 55 of the Local Government Act Cap 243, and Regulation 9(d) of the Uganda Public Standing Orders, 2021.
These functions include recruitment, promotion, and exercising disciplinary control over civil servants in the district.
