MOROTO, Uganda – State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Esther Anyakun Davinia, has come under intense criticism after sharing a job advertisement on social media that was later declared fake by the company it purportedly originated from.
The controversy began on Saturday when Anyakun posted a job advert in several WhatsApp groups, claiming that Yaobai Cement Factory in Moroto was recruiting dozens of specialized workers across various departments. The advert quickly attracted widespread attention from job seekers in the region.
However, the excitement was short-lived after Yaobai Cement Company issued a statement distancing itself from the advert and warning the public against falling victim to misinformation.
The minister’s actions have since sparked a storm of reactions on social media, with critics accusing her of recklessness and attempting to gain political mileage from the employment opportunity.
“She has blundered beyond reasonable doubt. She is known for taking credit and maximizing political capital from every situation,” one social media commentator wrote.
Others alleged that the minister intended to use the recruitment exercise to influence the hiring process in favor of her supporters and relatives.
“We were worried that she would use her position to pressure the company into employing only those she recommended. That would amount to abuse of office,” another critic claimed.
Despite the criticism, some supporters have defended the minister, arguing that her intentions were good and that she was merely trying to share opportunities with her constituents.
“When a leader comes across information that could benefit her people, it is natural to share it. She only meant well,” one supporter said.
Anyakun became State Minister for Karamoja Affairs following a cabinet reshuffle that saw changes in the ministry after the departure of former minister Agnes Nandutu. She is also among government officials who faced public scrutiny during the controversial iron sheets saga, in which relief iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in Karamoja were reportedly distributed to senior government officials.
Meanwhile, Yaobai Cement Company has urged members of the public to rely only on its official communication channels when seeking employment opportunities.
In a statement posted on the company’s X account, management warned job seekers to remain vigilant and verify all vacancies before submitting applications.
“Those interested in vacancies should remain vigilant and verify all job opportunities through our official communication channels before applying,” the company stated.
Don’t fall for fake job ads.
Please disregard this fake job advert currently being circulated. We urge you to remain vigilant and verify all job opportunities through our official communication channels before applying.#ScamAlert #JobAlert #StayVigilant pic.twitter.com/vm6KGxvHlF
— Yaobai Cement Karamoja (@yaobaicementug) June 11, 2026
The company further emphasized its independence and commitment to professional recruitment procedures, saying all employment opportunities are advertised through established processes.
As of publication time, Minister Anyakun had not publicly responded to the criticism surrounding the fake job advert.
