Man storms Rakai Service Commission office after losing Shs 20M in  job bribery scam

A resident of Kagamba Subcounty in Rakai District, Moses Mujuzi, has caused a commotion at the Rakai Service Commission office after allegedly being defrauded of Shs 20 million by the commission’s chairperson, David Mpuuga.

The money was reportedly paid as a bribe to secure a job for his son in the district’s agricultural department—a promise that went unfulfilled.

Mujuzzi recounted that his son had applied for the position of agricultural officer in Rakai District.

However, Mpuuga allegedly assured him that his son would only be selected if a bribe of Shs 20 million was paid.

Trusting the chairperson's word, Mujuzi gathered the funds, even mortgaging his house and other properties to come up with the amount.

According to Mujuzi, the initial agreement took place during a clandestine meeting at Lumbugu, where Mpuuga requested the bribe.

“He called me, and we met at Lumbungu. He told me to bring Shs 20 million, and my son would get the job. I was with my friend, Mawanda, who lent me Shs 6 million. We handed this amount to Mpuuga and later raised the remaining Shs 14 million, which I also gave him,” Mujuzi explained.

Despite paying the full amount, Mujuzi’s son did not receive the promised job. Mujuzzi claims that Mpuuga, exploiting their familiarity, reassured him that the arrangement was a "favour," but has since disappeared without delivering on his promise.

Feeling betrayed and facing financial ruin, Mujuzi took the drastic step of storming the Rakai Service Commission office, carrying a mattress with him and declaring that he would not leave the premises until the job that was "sold" to him was provided.

Mujuzi further revealed that he is now on the brink of losing his home and land, having mortgaged them to raise the Shs 20 million bribe.

“I borrowed this money, risking my home and land as collateral. Now, the lenders are on the verge of taking everything, and I am left with sleepless nights,” he lamented.

The incident has sparked outrage among Rakai district leaders, who have condemned the alleged corruption within the Service Commission.

Derrick Turisubiirwa, a youth councillor at the district, expressed his frustration, stating, “Our Service Commission is rotten. They prioritize people who can pay the most, leading to the collapse of essential services, including education. Positions remain vacant for too long because they are waiting for the highest bidder.”

In response to the growing scandal, Rakai Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Sarah Kiyimba has ordered the arrest of Mpuuga, the chairperson of the Rakai Service Commission. Kiyimba acknowledged receiving numerous complaints about Mpuuga soliciting bribes in exchange for job placements, which he allegedly failed to deliver.

“He demands between Shs 5 million and Shs 30 million from desperate job seekers, a practice that we will not tolerate in Rakai. I have instructed the police to locate and arrest him immediately,” Kiyimba said.

Efforts to contact Mpuuga have so far been unsuccessful, as his known phone numbers are  switched off.

The incident has prompted an official investigation into the operations of the Rakai Service Commission.

The police are expected to conduct a thorough probe to uncover the extent of the alleged corruption and bring those involved to justice.