High court lifts ban on Jinja District Service Commission

The High court in Jinja has lifted a restraining order that had barred the Jinja District Service Commission (DSC) from executing its duties, following a mutual agreement by the parties involved to settle the matter out of court.

Justice Joanita Bushara signed the consent judgment after a series of mediation meetings, bringing an end to a dispute that had threatened to paralyse the recruitment of staff in the district.

Earlier this month, Jinja male youth councillor Abdullah Mujoma petitioned the court, challenging the eligibility of newly appointed DSC members. He accused the chairperson George Kalulu, and members Margret Byakatonda and Collins Basalirwa of benefiting from irregular appointments marred by corruption and political influence.

Mujoma argued that such influence peddling would compromise the independence of the commission, which is mandated to ensure due diligence in the recruitment of civil servants in the district.

However, Jinja district officials defended the appointments, insisting that all legal procedures were followed. They presented council minutes as evidence of compliance, adding that the appointees were retired civil servants with unblemished records.

The officials also said background checks had been conducted by both local leaders and security agencies, and the nominees met the required integrity standards. Despite their differences, both parties agreed to mediation sessions chaired by Jinja resident district commissioner (RDC) Michael Kibwika.

The sessions yielded a breakthrough, with Mujoma agreeing to withdraw his case in what Kibwika described as a move made “in the interest of the public good.” Kibwika revealed that the district had received Shs 2 billion from the Finance ministry to facilitate staff recruitment, funds which must be utilised before the end of the current financial year.

“Since all parties involved work directly within the Jinja District Local Government service sector, we found it expedient to create room for job applicants to have shared opportunities rather than delay them in court battles,” said Kibwika.

Following the agreement, Bushara adjourned court for an hour to allow both sides to draft a consent judgment. The restraining order was subsequently lifted, allowing the Jinja DSC to resume its operations immediately.

Mujoma later explained that his legal challenge had become a political issue during his campaign trail. He said he accepted the mediated settlement to “maintain sanity” in what he described as an already heated electoral environment.