State House Anti-Corruption Unit Probe Stalls Service Delivery

The paralysis has ignited tensions among residents and investors who rely on the board’s approvals for development and land ownership verification.

Service delivery in Mukono District has ground to a near halt as investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) continue to paralyze the operations of three vital statutory bodies — the District Service Commission (DSC), the District Land Board (DLB), and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The impasse, now stretching into its fourth year, has left critical government services crippled and millions of shillings in development funds returned unspent.

During a tense Mukono District Council sitting this week, Councilor for the Elderly, Asuman Muwumuza, raised the matter, seeking clarity from district authorities over the prolonged dysfunction. Muwumuza moved a motion calling for an immediate explanation from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Elizabeth Namanda and the District Chairperson Rev. Dr. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, arguing that council operations cannot proceed without the statutory bodies functioning.

According to Muwumuza, the continued dormancy of the DSC, DLB, and PAC has delayed recruitment, stalled land transactions, and hindered oversight on public expenditure — creating a vacuum that has crippled service delivery across key sectors.

The District Service Commission, which is responsible for recruiting and confirming civil servants, last conducted interviews in May but has not issued appointment letters to the successful candidates. Dozens of crucial positions — including teachers, health workers, and administrative officers — remain vacant.

The Speaker noted that the Commission had been under scrutiny since early 2024 following reports that some officials demanded bribes from job applicants.

The District Land Board, another statutory body, has also been dysfunctional for months. Speaker Nakasi revealed that the Board’s secretary allegedly locked the office and vanished with the keys, effectively stalling all land transactions and leaving pending public land disputes unresolved.

The paralysis has ignited tensions among residents and investors who rely on the board’s approvals for development and land ownership verification.

In her response, CAO Elizabeth Namanda confirmed that the State House Anti-Corruption Unit directed her office to halt the issuance of appointment letters pending investigations into the alleged bribery scandals.

She acknowledged that the Land Board’s inaccessibility had disrupted service delivery but assured the council that a temporary office and an acting secretary had been appointed to resume basic operations.

District Chairperson Rev. Dr. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa defended the ongoing suspension, insisting that the leadership must prioritize integrity and accountability over speed.

Bakaluba also noted that the Public Accounts Committee has been inactive for months due to the absence of its chairperson, who travelled abroad for medical treatment.

Council members expressed outrage over the administrative paralysis, revealing that more than Shs 2 billion earmarked for salaries and service delivery during the 2023/2024 financial year was returned to the central government due to the committees’ inactivity.

Speaker Nakasi directed that a comprehensive report be tabled at the next council sitting, outlining the root causes of the paralysis and providing actionable recommendations for restoring operations.

Local leaders including Zaid Ssali, Vice Chairperson of Mukono Central Division, and Councilor Wilberforce Tebyasa, have urged the Inspectorate of Government and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to fast-track investigations and allow the committees to resume work.

They warn that the continued dormancy of these statutory bodies risks undermining governance, accountability, and public trust in local administration.

The three committees — the District Service Commission, District Land Board, and Public Accounts Committee — form the backbone of district governance, ensuring recruitment, land management, and financial oversight. Their collapse has left Mukono teetering on the edge of administrative crisis.