The District Service Commission (DSC) of Jinja district has been sworn in after an eight-month-long standoff. The five-member committee comprises George Kalulu as the chairperson, the vice chairperson, Margret Byakatonda, alongside three other members, who include Collins Basalirwa, Jackson Musalwa and Josephine Kayanga.
The members were nominated and their names tabled before the Jinja district council for approval last year, but had not yet been sworn in.
The council sitting approved the DSC, and plans for their swearing in were made; however, a section of councillors and other whistleblowers petitioned the Ministry of Public Service, citing irregularities in the process.
The Ministry then issued an injunction, stopping Jinja district local government officials from proceeding with the swearing-in ceremony.
Following inquiries, the injunction was lifted, clearing Jinja district local government to proceed with the swearing-in process.
A section of individuals, however, stormed Namagera town council headquarters, attempting to block the process and accusing the members of bribing their way to secure these appointments.
Police were, however, deployed to contain the chaotic scene, which allowed presiding officers to steer a peaceful swearing-in process.
The swearing-in ceremony presided over by the Jinja district chief administrative officer, Lillian Nakamate, was held successfully at the Namagera town council headquarters on Friday.
Nakamate says that several positions have remained vacant due to a lack of a nonfunctional DSC. Nakamate is also hopeful that the newly sworn members will exercise impartiality and ensure the appointment of professional staff to the district.
Kalulu says that the members will ensure fairness in job appointments, prioritising qualifying individuals rather than indulging in bribery.
Kalulu says that the DSC members are experienced individuals who will ensure the appointment of befitting candidates, capable of fostering quality service delivery in Jinja district.
The LCV chairperson, Moses Batwala, says that the divisions amongst councillors had derailed them from having a functional DSC, which slowed the execution of technical workload.
Batwala notes that disunity negatively affects the wider public, which directly benefits from the services of the DSC.