Several job applicants have accused Hoima District officials and alleged intermediaries of demanding bribes ranging from Shs10 million to Shs50 million in exchange for government jobs. The allegations were presented to Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara during an “Expose the Corrupt” accountability rally at Kigorobya Muslim Primary School on October 10, 2026.
The complaints implicate Hoima District LC V Chairperson Uthman Mubarak Mugisha, Senior Human Resource Officer Joel Munyagire, members of the District Service Commission (DSC) and several alleged intermediaries. Applicants claimed that some recruitment exercises were influenced by money and personal connections, leaving candidates who allegedly paid but failed to secure positions feeling cheated. The accusations relate to recruitment exercises reportedly conducted between July 2025 and March 2026.
Among the complainants was Immaculate Kabacanda, who said she applied for an economist position after being connected to Munyagire and Mugisha through Nicholas Kiiza, a workers’ representative from neighbouring Kikuube District. Kabacanda alleged that she paid Shs15 million but did not get the job. She suspected that another candidate had offered more money, although that claim has not been independently verified.
Immaculate Kunihira, an assistant accountant, alleged that she paid Shs10 million through Hoima District councillor Hillary Tumusiime after Mugisha allegedly demanded the money for a finance officer position. She claimed the job initially went to the wife of a senior human resource officer but that she eventually secured the position after reporting the matter to Hoima Central Police Station and petitioning higher authorities. Kunihira further alleged that Mugisha refunded the money on October 2, 2026, and pressured her to withdraw her complaint. Mugisha has denied wrongdoing and said police are investigating.
Other applicants also described alleged demands for payments to secure senior district positions. John Tumusiime, who said he had served as acting district commercial officer for seven years, claimed he was asked to pay Shs10 million but could not raise the money, after which the position went to Milly Okot. Fred Wandera, the acting Buraru Sub-county chief, alleged that he was asked for Shs10 million for an assistant town clerk position, which he claimed went to Clare Karungi, whom he identified as the DSC secretary’s daughter.
The allegations also touched on recruitment for health and education positions. Medical professional Nicholas Magambo Kwikiriza reportedly said he was asked to pay Shs50 million for the district health officer job before leaving Hoima to take a similar position in Masindi District. Sam Ayebale alleged that he was asked for Shs27 million for the district education officer position, which he claimed went to a candidate he considered unqualified. Other individuals named during the rally included District Planner Lydia Asiimwe, Collins Monday and Henry Balinda.
Beyond the alleged payments, complainants accused some officials of using intermediaries to collect money from applicants and raised questions about appointments within the District Service Commission. They also questioned the qualifications and appointment of Simon Kiiza as acting DSC secretary, as well as claims involving the removal of substantive secretary Francis Busobozi. Additional complaints alleged that internal promotion opportunities had not been advertised since Hoima District was separated from Hoima City. These claims have not been independently established, and the individuals named would need to respond to the specific allegations against them.
The allegations have placed Hoima District’s recruitment procedures under scrutiny, with complainants saying they could provide bank records and other evidence to support their accounts. Such evidence, alongside recruitment files, mobile money records, appointment letters and DSC minutes, could help investigators establish whether payments were made and whether they influenced hiring decisions. Mugisha has denied wrongdoing and says police are investigating, while the allegations against the other officials remain subject to verification and due process.
