Bugiri District officials are currently under investigation by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) following allegations of appointing a less qualified individual to key positions within the district’s healthcare system. The officials implicated in the investigation include Agrey Ngobi, the chairperson of the district service commission, Davidson Mulumba Kasajja, the chairperson of LC 5, and Kisuule Mabanda, the chief administrative officer.
The investigation was initiated after a concerned citizen and whistleblower approached the IGG’s office last month, urging them to look into the matter. The petition submitted to the IGG revealed that the district service commission of Bugiri illegally appointed Akorikin Abraham, a non-medical practitioner, as the Senior Health Educator in the Local Government of Bugiri.
The petitioner highlighted that Abraham was also being referred to as the District Health Officer (DHO), indicating the significant influence he held within the district. However, it was discovered that Abraham did not possess the required qualifications for the position of senior health educator. The position typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a health or medical education field and a minimum of three years of practical experience in active health service.
Contrary to these requirements, Abraham, who is professionally a records assistant, only holds a certificate or diploma in records management. The whistleblower further alleged that there were qualified individuals within Bugiri District Hospital who had been overlooked despite their qualifications and years of service in the district. Instead, Abraham had been repeatedly appointed to the acting capacity of the senior health educator, in violation of the Public Service Standing Orders.
The whistleblower criticized the appointment as an imposition, emphasizing that Abraham’s lack of medical expertise and lower professional rank made him unsuitable for the position. The whistleblower also revealed that the appointment had caused friction among Bugiri district officials, as some had suggested appointing one of the qualified individuals who had recently obtained bachelor’s degrees and were already serving at Bugiri District General Hospital. However, these recommendations were disregarded by the chief administrative officer and the chairperson of the district service commission.
In their defense, the accused officials claimed that Abraham had been given the position on an assignment basis and that he was currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Health Education and Promotion, now in the first year of the second semester.
The ongoing investigation by the Inspectorate of Government aims to uncover the truth behind the alleged appointment of an unqualified person to crucial healthcare positions within Bugiri District. If found guilty, the officials involved may face legal consequences for their actions, and the district may need to rectify the appointment and prioritize qualified individuals who meet the necessary criteria for the positions in question.
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