The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has sanctioned charges against two senior officers of the Uganda Police Force over alleged abuse of office in connection with irregular recruitment more than a decade ago.
According to charge documents filed at the Criminal Investigations Directorate headquarters, Commissioner of Human Resource Management Eldard Mugume, 58, and Human Resource Officer Lillian Waidha, 37, are accused of arbitrarily recruiting six individuals as Inspectors of Police between February and March 2013 without following due process.
Each recruitment constitutes a separate count, totaling six counts of abuse of office, contrary to section 10(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap 116.
The recruits named in the charges are Lizzie Namulinda, Aisha Namukasa, Lilly Birungi, Jasper Ekyoheirwe, Eva Amumpaire, and Pearl Kainembabazi.
Prosecutors allege that both officers, in their respective positions at the time, misused the authority of their offices to effect these appointments outside established procedures.
Under Ugandan law, abuse of office includes arbitrary acts by public officers prejudicial to the interests of their employer or the public.
The charges were formally consented to by Director of Public Prosecutions Jane Frances Abodo, paving the way for court proceedings.
If convicted, the accused could face severe penalties, including imprisonment and disqualification from holding public office.
The accused were remanded to prison as the court adjourned to 2nd September, when they will appear before the Chief Magistrates Court for the bail application hearing.
The case is expected to be a significant test of accountability mechanisms within the Uganda Police Force, coming at a time when public scrutiny of recruitment and promotion processes in public institutions is intensifying.
