Agago Suspends Recruitment over Expiry of DSC Members' Terms

Agago district local government has suspended an ongoing recruitment exercise following the expiry of the term of office of two members of its service commission.

The Agago district Chief Administrative Officer, Fred Kalyesubula, in a notice to the public and the applicants, suspended the exercise till further notice due to the expiration of term of service of two incumbent members. 

Both Henry Okidi and Engineer Barnabas Okeny’s terms of service expired on the 12th February leaving the commission with Gertrude Ayaa as the only legitimate member to perfume the functions of the district service commission. 

In March last year, Agago district was okayed by the public service commission to lift its wage bill and advertised for different job positions but the exercise was halted following the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID 19) pandemic.

Resumption of the exercise earlier this year saw over 1000 applicants shortlisted for the different advertised positions and were scheduled to undergo interviews between the 15th and 19th February.    The advertised positions include, the Senior Land Management officer, Senior Environment Officer, Forest Officer, Staff Surveyors, Communications Officer, Finance officer and Sports Officer.

Others open positions include Probations officers, Stenographer Secretary, parish chiefs, deputy head teachers, Senior education assistants, education assistants and an education officer in charge of special needs. 

The Agago district LCV Chairperson Leonard Opio Ojok confirms of the expiry of the term of office of the two incumbent commission members saying the law deems them ineligible to conduct any recruitment business after their four year terms elapsed.

According to Ojok, section 55(3) of the local government act cap 243 clearly states that members of a district service commission shall hold office for a period of four years, and shall be eligible for reappointment for one further term. 

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Ojok however allayed fears that the exercise would not proceed, saying the district executive committee is soon expected to nominate new names for subsequent scrutiny in the fourth coming council meeting for final approval by the public service commission before they commence work with immediate effect.