Hon Justine Kasule Lumumba, the former secretary general of the ruling NRM, sparked controversy on social media after discussing a case of job favoritism that involved her.
In an exclusive interview with a local television station, she shared how she was appointed as the Inspector of Schools in Bugiri District shortly after graduating from university.
The experienced politician stated that she had focused on teaching geography and economics while earning her degree at Makerere. Immediately upon completing her studies, the district committee members who were friends of her late father reached out and offered her a job as a gesture of respect for him.
“After completing university, my father’s friends, who were part of the interim committee in Bugiri District, called me and offered me a job at the district as a reward for my late father’s efforts. I was appointed Inspector of Schools,” she said.
However, this statement did not sit well with the public. They right away said that it’s evident she was not qualified and was only appointed based on favoritism and nothing like merit.
“Signs of a nation in freefall-Politicians openly admit that their positions are based on nepotism, not competence. No thought is given to the capable individuals who were overlooked. Another reason to drain the swamp,” said one social media user.
“And we call them leaders??? Incompetent lots just. How on earth do you expect progress on merits with such lots?
We are doomed as a nation,” said another.
“That’s how jobs in Local government are distributed. Most of those jobs are ring fenced for relatives, and friends,” said another.
Additionally, Kasule Lumumba mentioned that during her studies, she had no clear vision of her future career. Nonetheless, her father’s only wish for her was to earn a degree, and on her first day at university, he walked her there.
In the end, she completed her studies and came back home with a degree and a boyfriend. Sadly, her father wasn’t there to witness her achievement that he had desired so much, as he had passed away.
“I left Makerere University with a boyfriend and a degree. Unfortunately, my father passed away before he could see the degree he had wanted me to achieve.”
Additionally, she also revealed that she wanted to go back and study theology to become a nun after graduating. She revealed that she admired the way nuns live their lives as they don’t seem to struggle much.
Nepotism and favoritism in Uganda’s job market, particularly within the public sector, have long been recognized issues that hinder the nation’s service delivery. Numerous audits conducted in various public agencies have uncovered this problem, and despite attempts to address it, there has been little success.
