Civil servants who moonlight in the private sector or run private businesses within their professional sectors are now facing the prospect of severe consequences, with the government preparing to clamp down starting July 1, 2025.
The move, which has been subject of debate over the years, is aimed at enforcing adherence to public service regulations with the government targeting health and education sectors for a start.
Debate on the subject has often been the case, with many teachers in public service accused of spending their time in private schools while medics are often cited in theft of medical supplies for their clinics, dubious referrals and absenteeism from public duty.
READ: President Museveni Sacks Masaka Hospital Doctor
Several public officials in the health sector own hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and also engage in full-time employment out there.
It is more of the same in the education sector where teachers in public school moonlight in private schools while several officials including a minister run schools of their own - leaving trails of conflict of interest in matters of policing.
Dennis Mugimba, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education and Sports, confirmed that the ban is not a new policy but one that is now being strictly enforced.
"Referring to the public service standing orders, you are not allowed to hold two jobs. You cannot be in two places at the same time. You cannot be employed by the government and private sector at the same time," Mugimba explained.
While the policy mirrors the approach used in neighbouring Rwanda, where civil servants, including doctors, are prohibited from engaging in private practice, Uganda’s situation is different.
In Rwanda, civil servants are compensated with higher salaries and better working conditions, whereas in Uganda, many government employees in the health and education sectors rely on income from private clinics to supplement their often inadequate government wages.
This has led to concerns that enforcing the ban could worsen the already severe staff shortages in Uganda's public healthcare system.
Critics argue that some professionals may choose to leave government service rather than shut down their private clinics, which would likely exacerbate gaps in service delivery, especially in rural areas where private clinics play a critical role in providing healthcare.
Additionally, there are worries that the ban could lead to an exodus of skilled professionals who depend on supplementary private income.
"The policy is not new. It has always been part of public service regulations," Mugimba asserted, attempting to allay concerns about the policy’s impact on staffing.
The issue of civil servants moonlighting in private practice has also drawn the attention of President Museveni. In October 2024 following complaints about Dr. Godfrey Bonane Pariyo, an orthopaedic consultant at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, the President ordered his dismissal.
Dr Pariyo was accused of being frequently absent from his duties, allegedly due to his private practice.
"I am going to dismiss him in the public interest," President Museveni directed, underscoring his commitment to addressing the issue of absenteeism among government employees.
In a broader discussion on moonlighting, President Museveni raised the question of whether government doctors should continue to be allowed to operate private clinics.
"Should government doctors continue to be allowed to have or work for private practice?" he asked.
"We had allowed this because we had few doctors. Now the doctors are many and some are unemployed. Could we now make it a point for dismissal from government service for any government doctor to work for private practice?"
The President’s directive came as part of an ongoing conversation about the challenges facing public sector employees, particularly in the medical field, where absenteeism has been a recurring issue.
In addition to healthcare, the issue of dual roles among government employees has also been highlighted in the education sector.
Last year, Education and Sports minister Janet Museveni called for private school owners to stop hiring government teachers, citing concerns about their ability to balance dual roles effectively.
"School proprietors should avoid employing government teachers so they can concentrate on their official roles and improve service delivery," she said.
The government's strict enforcement of the ban on dual employment raises pressing questions about the future of public service in Uganda.
Health minister Jane Ruth Aceng, her permanent secretary Diana Atwine and the spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona were not readily available to comment on this article as the minister is understood to be out of the country while the PS and publicist could not answer our repeated calls.
The government's move to stop public sector doctors and teachers from owning or working in private businesses, such as schools, hospitals, and clinics, is driven by several concerns.
Primarily, it aims to eliminate potential conflicts of interest, ensuring that public servants dedicate their full attention to government duties.
By engaging in private practices, civil servants may prioritize personal interests, leading to absenteeism and neglect of their public responsibilities, especially in sectors like healthcare and education.
This policy also addresses issues of fairness and resource allocation, as public resources should not be diverted to private businesses, which can exacerbate inequalities in service delivery.
The government seeks to improve public service quality by ensuring that professionals in the public sector focus on strengthening institutions rather than dividing their time and energy.
The crackdown is also intended to prevent skilled workers from leaving public service in favour of more lucrative private-sector opportunities, which could contribute to a brain drain.
Ultimately, the goal is to maintain public trust and ensure accountability, fostering a stronger and more efficient public service that prioritises the welfare of all citizens, particularly those in underserved regions.
As the July 1 deadline looms, the government must address salary concerns and working conditions if it hopes to retain skilled professionals and maintain service delivery.
As the government vows to tighten the noose, concerns grow that the crackdown could lead to a shortage of skilled professionals and a decline in service delivery, particularly in underserved regions.