The Uganda Local Government Workers Union has issued a strong warning to Government over reports of local government employees being exposed to unsafe and humiliating situations during ongoing anti-corruption and accountability operations. The union says it supports the fight against corruption but wants all investigations and enforcement actions involving public servants to be conducted within the law.
In a statutory notice dated September 28, 2026, and addressed to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, the union raised concern over reports of workers being interdicted, arrested, publicly handcuffed and subjected to other actions during community barazas and public engagements. It questioned whether such forums have the legal mandate to make or influence disciplinary decisions against public officers.
The union argued that disciplinary and administrative matters involving government employees should be handled by authorised institutions and in accordance with established procedures. It referred to Article 42 of the Constitution, which provides for fair treatment before administrative bodies, and Article 173, which protects public officers against victimisation and punishment without just cause.
The Uganda Local Government Workers Union said it has received reports of concerning incidents in several parts of the country, including Iganga District, where about 39 officers are reportedly facing interdiction, and Sironko District, where about 17 officers are reportedly affected. Other areas mentioned in the notice include Iganga Municipal Council, Mbale City, Kapchorwa, Gomba, Sembabule and Budaka.
The union also raised concern over an alleged incident in Kapchorwa in which a Chief Administrative Officer was reportedly handcuffed in public. In Gomba, it sought explanations regarding reports involving Water Officer Mr Wamala, the retrieval and auditing of government records, and the reported presence of armed security personnel during the exercise. The union stressed that these reports require proper verification before conclusions are reached against any individual.
According to the union, such incidents could create long-term safety challenges for public servants because many local government employees continue living and working in the communities where they serve. It warned that workers who are publicly accused, confronted or arrested may later face hostility, intimidation or stigma when they return to serve the same residents, potentially affecting both their safety and public service delivery.
The union further referred to Sections 36 and 37 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006, saying workers have a right to raise concerns where they reasonably believe that their lives or health face an imminent or serious danger. It said this does not give employees an unlimited right to abandon their duties, but called on relevant authorities to assess reported risks and take appropriate measures to protect workers.
The Uganda Local Government Workers Union has now called for an urgent meeting with the Head of Public Service to agree on clear procedures for anti-corruption operations involving local government employees. General Secretary Hassan Lwabayi Mudiba said the union remains ready to work with Government in the fight against corruption, but warned that if the reported dangers are not addressed, it will support affected workers in exercising their lawful rights and pursue other remedies provided for under the law.
