Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Kamya has exposed a massive corruption scandal that is shaking the foundations of Uganda’s public service. According to Beti Kamya, job applicants are being forced to pay over Shs29 billion in bribes annually just to secure government positions.
Speaking during an anti-corruption forum in Kampala, the IGG described the practice as systemic and deeply entrenched, accusing corrupt officials of turning public service recruitment into a money-making scheme.
“Ugandans are being extorted to join the very system that is meant to serve them,” Beti Kamya said.
She revealed that job seekers pay anywhere between Shs2 million to Shs20 million, depending on the position, department, and connection to insiders.
Most bribes are paid through middlemen who act as links between desperate applicants and officials in ministries, local governments, and public service commissions.
Beti Kamya’s findings are based on a recent study conducted by the IGG’s office, which interviewed hundreds of job seekers and whistleblowers across the country.
The report shows that many young Ugandans are losing hope in the fairness of the recruitment system, with some taking loans or selling family assets just to pay for jobs that are supposed to be merit-based.
The scandal has triggered public outrage, with critics accusing the government of turning a blind eye to the rot. Some see it as a direct reflection of President Museveni’s failure to crack down on corruption despite repeated promises.
Beti Kamya has called for urgent reforms, including stricter vetting of recruitment panels, use of digital application systems, and protection for whistleblowers.
Even as Uganda prepares for the 2026 elections, the revelations could fuel growing anger among jobless youth and deepen mistrust in government institutions already battling a credibility crisis.