Free Access | 2024-04-12

An Assessment of the Cost and Extent of Corruption in Recruitment by the District Service Commissions in Uganda

Authors/Editors: Economic Policy Research Centre ,  Inspectorate of Government

Abstract:

The Inspectorate of Government (IG) in collaboration with Economic Policy Research Centre Makerere University conducted a study on the cost and extent of corruption in recruitment of Public Officers by District Service Commissions in Uganda. Corruption within the District Service Commissions (DSCs) poses significant threats to the integrity, efficiency, and fairness in Local Government (LG) recruitment processes. This not only compromises the quality of employees hired and service delivery but also erodes public trust in Government institutions. The study established the following key findings. Eighty-two percent (82%) of job applicants identify bribes as the most common form of corruption in recruitment processes. Job applicants at Local Government were asked for bribes of up to UGX78 billion, but the actual bribes paid amounted to approximately UGX29 billion for the period 2018 to 2022. This implied that UGX.5.8 billion was paid for bribes in the 20 sampled districts annually, translating into a payment of UGX.290 million per district every year. Extrapolating the bribes actually paid to the 146 Districts annually translates to UGX42.34 billion. The bribes asked for vary widely by sector, position, and seniority, ranging from UGX 40-50 million for senior roles like Heads of Department to UGX 3 million for lower positions for salary scale U6 and U7 for jobs such as Nursing Assistants and Grade III Primary Teachers. The Education sector had the highest bribe requests at UGX 36.9 billion, while the Health Sector reported the highest actual bribe payments, totaling UGX 12.9 billion. The study recommends among others; Change in the appointment procedure/ processes for the District Service Commission Officials; Change in the composition of the District Service Commissions; Review and raise the minimum qualifications and experience of the members of the District Service Commissions; Provision of adequate funds for operations of District Service Commission and enhanceme