Dokolo, Uganda | The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has ordered the dismissal of four public officials, including a senior education officer in Dokolo District, after uncovering that they used forged documents to secure government jobs and promotions.
The Deputy Inspector General of Government, Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe issued the directive to the Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) of Bundibugyo and Dokolo District Local Governments and the Town Clerk of Koboko Municipal Council, following thorough investigations.
In Dokolo, Mr. Okello David Livingstone, currently serving as the District Inspector of Schools, was found to have forged multiple documents to facilitate his employment and career advancement in the education sector.
According to the IG’s findings, Mr. Okello falsified an appointment letter on probation as an Assistant Education Officer.
The document, purportedly issued by the Education Service Commission under Minute No. 64/2007 (677), actually belongs to another person, Kwagga Juliet, who was legitimately appointed as Assistant Education Officer (English/Literature).
Additionally, Mr. Okello presented counterfeit posting instructions, allegedly issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports in June 2007, assigning him to teach Geography at Kangai Secondary School.
These instructions, recorded as Minute No. 10/2007 (677) were verified and confirmed to be non-existent.
He later used the same fraudulent documents to apply for the post of District Inspector of Schools, to which he was appointed and confirmed on 24 October 2018.
The IG noted that Mr. Okello’s actions contravene Section 328 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128, which criminalizes knowingly and fraudulently uttering false documents.
His conduct also constitutes gross misconduct under the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021, which warrant dismissal.
In Bundibugyo District, two public servants are also set to lose their jobs after being implicated in similar acts of document falsification.
Mr. Charles Agaba, employed as Assistant Inventory Management Officer, had previously served as an Assistant Procurement Officer since 2008 and was confirmed in service in 2010.
Though he was recommended for promotion in 2019, the district advertised the post for open competition.
Instead of applying, Mr. Agaba took the matter to court, claiming he had the necessary qualifications.
The court ruled in his favour and awarded him UGX 35 million in compensation.
However, investigations revealed he had submitted forged academic credentials—specifically a fake Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement and Logistics Management from Kyambogo University (Certificate No. KYU – B 10839 and Transcript No. 027976).
His promotion pursuit and compensation were both based on these forgeries.
Ms. Ithungu Eve, also from Bundibugyo, was appointed Parish Chief under Min No.1/DSC/2022 after presenting a forged Diploma in Public Administration, allegedly from Uganda Pentecostal University.
The IG has since confirmed that the document was fraudulent.
In Koboko Municipal Council, Mr. David Dimba Kenyi, who holds the position of Principal Education Officer, was promoted in December 2018 after presenting a letter purportedly issued by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
The letter claimed to equate his Sudan School Certificate to the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), forming the basis for his continued academic pursuits and public service employment.
However, UNEB has denied ever issuing such a letter, rendering Mr. Dimba’s academic and employment record invalid.
The Inspectorate has instructed the respective CAOs and the Koboko Town Clerk to take immediate disciplinary action and report back on the measures implemented.
According to the IG, the uttering of forged documents not only violates criminal law but also breaks the trust between public officers and government institutions.
The Public Service Standing Orders clearly categorize such acts as gross misconduct, which justifies dismissal in the public interest.