Parliament in Uganda has commenced a four-day staff verification exercise designed to assess the authenticity of employees' academic credentials and hiring histories. According to Nile Post, the initiative was launched on Monday, October 19, following a directive from Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth. The process is being overseen by the Public Service Commission, which was invited to ensure independence and minimize internal interference within the Parliamentary Service. The review will conclude on Thursday, October 22, with all departments required to present their personnel according to a pre-issued schedule.
The verification aims to address growing calls for transparency and accountability within public institutions. Nile Post reports that the commissioners intend to examine whether staff records are accurate and determine if discrepancies require disciplinary action. Susan Abeja, who chairs the human resources sub-committee, stated that the goal is to restore confidence in the institution. She noted that the process is intended to strengthen professionalism, ensuring that employees with genuine documents and proper hiring histories have nothing to fear.
As the exercise entered its second day on Tuesday, October 20, Speaker Oboth-Oboth addressed staff concerns through a statement posted on X. He described the validation as a standard administrative step meant to boost morale and integrity, urging employees to remain calm. Oboth-Oboth emphasized that the new leadership seeks to promote merit and equal opportunity, comparing the public service to a race where every employee should compete fairly from the same starting point. He argued that job titles must align with actual skills and tenure, regardless of when an individual joined the organization.
The schedule for the verification is organized by department. The first day covered senior leadership offices, including those of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Clerk, alongside several administrative units. Tuesday’s session focuses on finance, administration, logistics, and human resources divisions. The remaining departments, including information technology and legal compliance, are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Nile Post notes that the findings will help the commission identify any necessary actions for irregularities, such as forged documents or mismatched job placements.