KAMPALA — Parliament has launched a comprehensive staff verification exercise aimed at scrutinising the academic qualifications, appointment documents and employment records of all employees on its payroll amid concerns over alleged irregular recruitment during the 11th Parliament.
The exercise, which began on Monday, October 19, 2026, follows a directive by Speaker of Parliament Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth, who has vowed to ensure that every employee accounts for their qualifications and recruitment records, regardless of their position or department.
Speaking during a parliamentary sitting last week, Oboth said the exercise would cover everyone drawing a salary from Parliament, from the Clerk to Parliament and staff in the Office of the Speaker to administrative personnel and security workers. He said the process would be supported by the Head of Public Service.
The verification is intended to establish whether employees possess the required academic qualifications, whether their credentials match the positions they occupy, and whether their appointments followed the established recruitment procedures. Personnel files will also be examined to establish whether all the necessary documents are available.
The exercise comes amid allegations that some employees were recruited during the 11th Parliament without following the required procedures, with reports indicating that more than 300 appointments may have been affected. However, these concerns remain allegations, and the verification process is expected to establish the facts and identify any confirmed irregularities.
Parliament’s acting Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Grace Gidudu, described the exercise as a routine human resource management practice rather than a targeted purge of employees. She said the process would help the institution establish staff qualifications, job placements, employment histories and the completeness of personnel records.
The exercise has nevertheless raised anxiety among some staff members, particularly those concerned about whether their qualifications correspond with their current assignments. Employees who spoke to Daily Monitor on condition of anonymity reportedly expressed fears about possible consequences if discrepancies are discovered in their recruitment records or job placements.
The verification also renews attention to earlier concerns about Parliament’s payroll management. In a report published in March 2024, Daily Monitor reported that the Auditor General had identified payroll inconsistencies and difficulties verifying some Parliamentary Commission employees during an earlier audit. The latest exercise provides an opportunity to establish whether staff records are now accurate and compliant with the applicable requirements.
The success of the exercise will ultimately depend on transparency, fairness and the action taken on its findings. Stakeholders have called for clear verification criteria and publicly disclosed results, arguing that the process should strengthen accountability, protect public resources and restore confidence in Parliament’s administration without unfairly penalising employees whose records may contain explainable discrepancies.
