Obongi Town Council HR officer interdicted over Shs1.5m teacher job bribe.
By Our Reporter
OBONGI
Obongi District has interdicted the Human Resource Officer for Obongi Town Council over allegations of extorting Shs1.5 million from a job seeker with a promise of giving her a teaching job.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Obongi, Mr. Otim Benson Humphrey, in a letter dated 19th August 2026, interdicted Mr. Iranya Martin with immediate effect to pave way for investigations.
This follows a complaint filed by Ms. Ewaru Beatrice of Bello Village, who had applied for the post of Education Assistant II in May 2025 and sat interviews.
According to the complaint addressed to the CAO through the Principal Human Resource Officer and District Service Commission Secretary, Iranya allegedly demanded Shs1.5 million after the interview to help her secure the job.
“I applied for the post of Education Assistant in May 2025 and I did interview. After that interview I was asked to pay 1.5 million shillings to get the job by Iranya Marritin the human resource officer,” Beatrice wrote.
In a handwritten statement attached to the petition, she explains how the money was paid.
“I Ewaru Beatrice I gave money to Iranya Marritin 1.5 million. The first one was cash 700,000. The second and third one in phone number 0773514348. I paid using my number 0783401062 in the names Ewaru Beatrice,” she stated.
She said for one year and three months, the officer kept telling her to wait for a call to pick her appointment letter, but it never came.
“It is now one year and three months. I kindly request you to help me follow up the matter to either give me the position promised or refund my money,” she appealed.
Beatrice first reported the matter to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Obongi, Mr. Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, who directed the CAO to take action against the corruption scandal. She also copied her complaint to the UNATU Chair, Obongi Branch.
Acting on the RDC’s directive, CAO Otim Benson Humphrey said he had received the complaint and noted that the conduct is criminal and cannot be tolerated in Public Service.
“I have received the complaint from Ms. Ewaru Beatrice where she alleges that you extorted from her Shs1,500,000 in three installments: Shs700,000 cash and two installments through your mobile money line 0773814346. This conduct is criminal and cannot be tolerated within the Public Service,” the interdiction letter reads in part.
The CAO interdicted Iranya under Regulation 38 (1)(b) of the Public Service Regulations and Order (F-s) of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders 2021.
Under the interdiction:
a) He will be entitled to half pay
b) He will not be expected to frequent office premises except on appointment or when invited
c) He will not leave Uganda without authorization of the CAO or leave of Court.
He was directed to hand over his office as Human Resource Officer, Obongi Town Council to the Town Clerk or any designated staff in accordance with the Public Service Standing Orders.
In a separate communication also dated 19th August 2026, the CAO ordered that the handover be witnessed by the Town Clerk Obongi Town Council, the Principal Human Resource Officer, the Head of Internal Audit and the OC-CID Obongi District.
“By copy of this letter the Town Clerk, Obongi Town Council, the Principal Human Resource Officer, the Head of Internal Audit and the OC-CID Obongi District are accordingly informed and required to witness the handover,” the CAO wrote.
The communication, which was stamped as received by Obongi Town Council on 19th August 2026, was copied to the RDC, District Chairperson, OC-CID, District Internal Auditor and the Mayor Obongi Town Council.
The Ministry of Public Service has repeatedly warned the public against paying money for jobs in District Service Commissions, saying recruitment in local governments is free and merit-based.
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