By Charlotte Nyebaza Kagumaho,
KAMPALA
The Inspectorate of Government has uncovered a widespread forgery scandal within the Kyenjojo District Local Government. According to an official report, the Inspectorate received a complaint that some parish chiefs were recruited into the service of the district in September and October 2021 using forged academic diplomas.
The Inspectorate’s investigations revealed that out of the 71 parish chiefs recruited by the Kyenjojo DLG during that period, 25 were found to have used forged diploma certificates which contravene Section A-c (18) of the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021.
The report names the 25 officers involved, including Kato Kyaligonza Thomas, Nyakahuma Florence, Baganyire Saul, Nuwahereza Peter, Constance Orikiriza among others. It is alleged that the suspects forged diploma certificates issued by reputable academic institutions such as Uganda Pentecostal University, Kyambogo University, Bishop Stuart University, Mountains of the Moon University, Makerere University Business School, among others.
“All those institutions disowned the diploma transcripts presented, noting that they do not have any records related to the above-named persons,” read IG report in parts.
In a July 23 letter by the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, the district Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) was directed to immediately remove the names of the affected officers from the payroll and summon them to the district service commission for disciplinary action, including possible dismissal in a within a fortnight from the day of receipt of the letter. 
Additionally, the Inspectorate instructed the Kyenjojo District Police Commander to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that the officers are prosecuted.
Twinomugisha described the incident as a betrayal of public trust and vowed that the government will not tolerate such malpractices.
