Balaam Gives Districts August 30 Deadline to Fill 800 Jobs

KAMPALA — The Minister of Local Government, Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, has issued a firm directive requiring all Local Governments across Uganda to fully constitute their District and City Service Commissions by 30 August 2026, in a move aimed at unlocking the recruitment of more than 800 approved vacant positions in the public service.

In a circular dated 13 July 2026 addressed to all District Chairpersons (LCV), City Mayors, Chief Administrative Officers and Town Clerks, the Minister said the directive followed consultations with the Minister of Public Service, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, to expedite the recruitment of substantive staff across Local Governments.

According to the Minister, the prolonged absence of fully constituted Service Commissions has forced many officers to serve in acting capacities for extended periods, with some occupying acting positions for more than a decade. He noted that the situation has weakened institutional stability, accountability, supervision and overall service delivery while leaving billions of shillings in wage allocations unutilised due to failure to recruit substantive staff.

Balaam directed that once the Service Commissions are lawfully constituted, recruitment processes should commence immediately and be conducted transparently, expeditiously and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and Public Service laws. He added that officers serving in acting capacities as Heads of Departments should hand over to substantively appointed officers as soon as recruitment is completed.

The Minister also called on local councils to urgently resolve disagreements that have delayed the appointment of Service Commission members, urging that where necessary, new members with proven integrity, competence and acceptable leadership credentials be appointed in accordance with the law.

In a strong warning against corruption, Balaam stated that no individual implicated in corruption, abuse of office or any other form of misconduct should be appointed to serve on District or City Service Commissions.

He further emphasized that government jobs are not for sale, warning that anyone found soliciting, demanding, receiving or offering money or other inducements in exchange for public employment would be held personally accountable and dealt with in accordance with the law.

The Minister assured Local Governments facing challenges in implementing the directive that the Ministries of Local Government and Public Service, the Public Service Commission, Parliamentary Committees and political leaders would be available to facilitate amicable solutions.

He concluded by stressing that fully functional Service Commissions are essential to improving service delivery, strengthening Local Government institutions, eliminating corruption in recruitment and ensuring the efficient utilisation of public resources.