Nakaseke headteachers involved in forgery cases were eventually dismissed

Authorities in Nakaseke District The local government has confirmed the dismissal of 21 school principals previously involved in document forgery cases.
The 21 school principals have been under investigation by the Office of the Inspectorate of Government since 2023 after a whistleblower shared information on the alleged cases of forgery for promotion among the Nakaseke District local government.

“The District Service Commission recently dismissed the 21 teachers who had earlier forged academic documents to gain promotion to the school principalship. The cases were investigated and recommendations were made for the dismissal of the teachers,” Mr Ignatius Kiwanuka Koomu, Chairman of LC5 Nakaseke District told a stakeholders meeting convened by the Office of the Inspectorate of Government at its headquarters of Nakaseke District in Butalangu Municipal Council.

Earlier this month (September), this publication reported on the suspension of the 21 teachers from their respective workplaces, pending guidance from the Solicitor General’s office.

Nakaseke District Chief Administrative Officer (CA0), Mrs Sarah Nakalungi, had sought advice on the fate of the teachers following the Government Inspector General’s recommendation for the dismissals.
District leaders were left in a complex position after learning that while the 21 principals admitted to forgery in 2023, they had since obtained genuine academic documents.

Mr Koomu, during his interaction with the Government Inspectorate team led by the Director of Research, Education and Advocacy, said the district has rested the case of the 21 teachers following the recent dismissal by the Public Service Commission.

Interacting with stakeholders from the district, Mr. James Panywii on behalf of the Inspectorate of Government said corruption is not just about misappropriation of funds but manifests itself in various forms including forgeries leading to poor service delivery.

“We only have to report people who embezzle money. Corruption takes many different forms, depriving society of proper services. We have people who report late to work, people who are always absent, among other inefficiencies in the various public facilities,” he said.

The 21 dismissed;
In January 2024, the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, asked the Nakaseke Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to submit the names of the teachers involved in the forgery cases to the District Service Commission for dismissal from the services for uttering forged documents.

“Issuing forged documents amounts to misconduct under section (FR) and 5(N) of the Public Service Regulations, 2021,” her letter dated January 23, 2024 said.
The IGG also directed the District Service Commission to forward the names of the 21 school principals to the police for investigation with a view to possible prosecution.

The Office of the IG is conducting discussions with leaders and addressing the public at various forums in the districts of Central Uganda, including Luweero, Nakaseke and Mubende, to raise awareness on the corruption-related cases.