Mukono Councilors Reject Move to Hire Neighboring District Service Commissions

Mukono district council has rejected a proposal by the executive committee to hire the District Service Commissions of Kayunga and Buikwe. It came after the District Executive Committee led by the LC V Chairperson, Rev. Peter Bakaluba tabled a motion before the council to allow the district to hire District Service Commissions from Kayunga and Buikwe to recruit staff as they wait for their own.   

However, the councillors rejected the motion, who saw it as a waste of resources while others opposed the motion fearing that their people could be left out of the recruitment process. Florence Birungi, the Mukono Female Youth councillor said “Hiring a commission from our neighbouring districts may make our Mukono people lose jobs as they will hire people from their own districts.”   

Wasswa Lukwago, the Seeta-Namugaga councillor, said that a lot is at stake if the district hires an outside commission. “Money to pay these hired commission officials from other districts can be used to help the district do some important work. I, therefore, recommend that another special council may be held to specifically handle that so that the issue is resolved,” he said.

Mukono District Councilor Speaker, Hope Betty Nakasi put the matter to a vote, which saw 18 councillors vote against and for the motion, Using her powers, Nakasi returned the motion to the District Executive Committee to carry out more research and consultations and provide a solid response in the next council meeting.

However, the Mpatta sub-county councillor, Emmanuel Mbonye opposed her decision citing the laws of procedure. “According to the rules of procedure when the vote is tied, the motion is lost and cannot be differed. The executive needs to just review the names, there is no need for a special council,” he said. 

Dr Steven Mulindwa, the Mukono District Health Office (DHO), says that they have run short of health workers. “We really need to hire some as soon as possible,” he said.   During the council meeting held in February 2022, Rev. Bakaluba tried to present the names of nominees to the district service commission. 

These included Gerald Muguluma Kiraga as the chairperson and Stella Margret Kiondo and Edward William Kisimagwa as members. The councillors rejected the nominees and tasked the LCV chairperson to explain the procedures that he used to select the nominees. They accused him of trying to fill up the commission with his supporters.   

As a result, the LCV Chairperson withdrew the nominees and promised to come up with new names and instead up came up with a proposal to hire services of the Commissions from the neighbouring districts. The Mukono Chief Administrative Officer-CAO, James Nkata, said that they have written to the Secretary to the Public Service Commission to intervene in the matter, but they have not yet responded.