Shame In Uganda’s Civil Service!! See How Fake Degrees, Corruption And Nepotism Have Taken Lead In Government Offices

The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Ms. Betty Kamya, has raised alarm over the recruitment of unqualified civil servants in Uganda’s public service, calling it a crisis that undermines the country’s integrity and development.

Speaking at an anti-corruption event in Kampala themed “Fundamentals of Integrity and Anti-Corruption,” Ms. Kamya revealed that many civil servants hold fake academic qualifications, often forged on Nasser Road, a hub for counterfeit documents.

“These workers are either fake graduates or not the most suitable candidates for the jobs,” Ms. Kamya said, adding that the issue has been brought to the President’s attention, with Cabinet expected to deliberate on it soon.

She highlighted the devastating consequences of employing unqualified personnel, including shoddy work in construction, collapsing buildings and substandard roads. Ms. Kamya attributed such failures to corrupt practices, where contractors pay kickbacks and use inferior materials to cut costs.

“Our economy is largely run by mediocre individuals, resulting in a brain drain as qualified professionals seek better opportunities abroad,” she noted, citing Ugandan doctors excelling in South Africa, Nairobi and the UK.

Ms. Kamya also criticized societal attitudes that glorify corruption, where wealth accumulation is celebrated without questioning its source. She called for a mindset change to curb the vice.

However, she acknowledged that her office faces challenges in verifying asset declarations due to limited resources.