By Our Reporter
A troubling case has surfaced in Mbale City, where Mrs. Betty Nabugobero, an acting headteacher for over four years, has been dropped from the list of headteacher appointments under controversial circumstances. This decision, allegedly influenced by top city officials, has raised serious concerns about the treatment of whistleblowers and the integrity of the recruitment process.
Mrs. Nabugobero, who had been cleared by the Public Service Commission and invited for a second interview, has reportedly been excluded based on instructions from the city clerk, Mr. Ocen Ambrose, the chairperson of the city service commission, and the city mayor. Despite her longstanding service, she is the only acting headteacher to be excluded from the list, leading many to suspect deliberate targeting.
This ordeal appears to be rooted in a prior scandal. Mrs. Nabugobero was recorded alongside Mr. Paddy Khauka, a technical officer, during discussions where UGX 3 million was allegedly solicited from headteacher aspirants. Instead of dismissing the claims or addressing the allegations transparently, city officials allegedly used the incident to frustrate her career even after her doing well in the first interview and was among the successful candidates.
Reports suggest Mrs. Nabugobero was once coerced at gunpoint to deny her involvement in the recorded conversations and was promised appointment in exchange for her silence. However, these promises have since been broken, and she has been dropped from consideration. Meanwhile, acceptance letters for headteacher appointments are reportedly being distributed selectively through informal phone calls, raising serious questions about fairness and transparency in the recruitment process.
The acting City Education Officer has publicly stated that the city clerk would not appoint Mrs. Nabugobero and warned that anyone opposing his actions would face frustrations. Such statements further underscore the culture of intimidation and retaliation that whistleblowers like Mrs. Nabugobero face in their fight against corruption.
The Call for Action
This case highlights the urgent need for government intervention to protect whistleblowers and ensure justice. Mrs. Nabugobero’s ordeal raises critical concerns:
Why are whistleblowers being targeted instead of protected?
What measures are in place to ensure fairness and transparency in public service recruitment?
How can corruption in local government structures be effectively addressed?
We call upon government agencies, including the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, and relevant security organs, to thoroughly investigate this matter. They must identify the reasons behind Mrs. Nabugobero’s exclusion and hold accountable those perpetuating corruption and retaliation against whistleblowers.
Whistleblowers are vital in the fight against corruption. Their voices should be amplified, not silenced. The government must act decisively to protect individuals like Mrs. Nabugobero, ensuring that exposing wrongdoing is not met with punishment but with commendation and support.
The fate of citizens willing to challenge corruption depends on the government’s commitment to safeguarding their rights and upholding accountability within its systems. If this culture of retaliation continues unchecked, it risks discouraging future whistleblowers and entrenching corruption further in public institutions.
