Overview:
At a heated session on March 2, the committee questioned whether teachers, headteachers, District Education Officers (DEOs), and Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) were directly engaged in electoral processes. Some were allegedly appointed as polling officials, while others were accused of mobilising voters along party lines.
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has reopened scrutiny into allegations that civil servants participated in partisan political activities during the just-concluded general elections, raising fresh concerns about the neutrality of the public service.
At a heated session on March 2, the committee questioned whether teachers, headteachers, District Education Officers (DEOs), and Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) were directly engaged in electoral processes. Some were allegedly appointed as polling officials, while others were accused of mobilising voters along party lines.
The matter arose during PAC’s appearance with Permanent Secretary Catherine Bitarakwate. Committee Chairperson Gorreth Namugga pressed the ministry on whether appointed public officers could legally participate in electoral management or partisan mobilisation while still on the government payroll. “Is it lawful for appointed public officers to dive into electoral roles while still on the government payroll?” Namugga asked.
“This reeks of bias and undermines the very foundation of fair elections.” Kassanda North MP Patrick Nsamba Oshabe demanded clarity on sanctions for officers found to have breached the law. “What disciplinary hammer falls on civil servants who cross this line? We cannot have public servants moonlighting as political operatives without consequences,” he said.
Under Section 66 of the Public Service Act, 2008, civil servants are barred from engaging in partisan political activities. The Public Service Standing Orders further require any officer intending to contest for elective office to resign at least three months before nomination.
The Leadership Code Act compels public officials to avoid conflicts of interest, with penalties ranging from reprimand to dismissal. Lawmakers cited incidents during the December 2025 presidential campaigns in which CAOs in Kabale, Arua, and Adjumani allegedly authorised letters permitting schools to release students to attend rallies for President Yoweri Museveni.
Critics described the actions as state-sponsored mobilisation. Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi earlier characterised the alleged conduct as “tilting the scales unfairly” through the misuse of public structures. Analysts warn that, if substantiated, such actions could further erode public confidence in already polarised institutions.
Responding to the committee, Catherine Bitarakwate said her office had not received formal complaints. “We have not received formal reports of these incidents. We will consult the Attorney General and return with a comprehensive response,” she said.
Unsatisfied with the response, committee members dismissed her from the session. Although ministry officials later reaffirmed their commitment to neutrality, MPs cautioned that delays in investigating alleged violations risk entrenching impunity.
The committee signalled it may recommend further investigations by the Electoral Commission or the Inspector General of Government. No official statistics have yet been released on possible civil service breaches during the 2026 polls.
“This isn’t just about rules,” Namugga said. “It’s about restoring faith in our democracy.” The probe comes in the shadow of President Museveni’s re-election, after the Electoral Commission declared him the winner with 71.65 percent of the vote.
The result was rejected by opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, who cited mass arrests, intimidation of supporters, and widespread irregularities. International rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, described the pre-election climate as one of “widespread repression,” pointing to the suspension of civic groups and restrictions on dissent ahead of polling day.
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