Namisindwa CAO under fire over alleged irregular promotions
He confirmed that plans are underway to hire an external service commission to handle recruitment and promotions but declined to provide further details.
Namisindwa: The Namisindwa Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Leonard Kitavunja, is facing criticism for allegedly pushing through irregular staff promotions during the district’s transition period.
The Namisindwa District Service Commission is currently not fully constituted following the resignation of its former chairperson, who stepped down to pursue a political career as a Woman Member of Parliament during the NRM primaries. She lost the race in July 2025.
Despite the incomplete status of the commission, the CAO is reportedly planning to hire the Tororo District Service Commission to fast-track staff promotions and recruitments in Namisindwa.
This move comes just months before the end of the current term and has raised concerns among district stakeholders, many of whom describe it as irregular and unnecessary. Critics argue that the process appears to be favoring certain beneficiaries rather than following established procedures.
Peter Masayi, the District Councillor for Namboko Sub-county, said the CAO is overstepping his mandate. “The authority to hire an external service commission originates from the district council, especially since it involves financial expenditure. Council has never discussed or approved such a move at any stage,” he said.
Masayi has called on the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government to intervene and ensure adherence to established systems for effective district operations.
District Speaker Dorothy Walukawu emphasized that matters concerning the District Service Commission are legal in nature and must be handled within the law. “If a technical officer advising council begins acting like a politician making resolutions and implementing them unilaterally Namisindwa District risks institutional collapse,” she warned. Walukawu added that council had already expressed its stance on recruitment issues after the executive allegedly obstructed the recruitment of heads of department and staff promotions.
Emma Bwayo, Male Youth Councillor and Chairman-elect, said the district executive has obstructed recruitment and promotion processes for the past five years, even when a fully constituted service commission was in place.
He attributed the current crisis to the CAO, accusing him of persisting with illegal actions following earlier mistakes that resulted in nearly one billion shillings meant for recruitment and promotions being returned to the Treasury. Bwayo called on the CAO to declare his interests in what he termed ongoing scandals and allow for a smooth transition.
When contacted for comment, Leonard Kitavunja confirmed that plans are underway to hire an external service commission to handle recruitment and promotions but declined to provide further details.
Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.
