Gulu City Council risks losing shs1.3billion meant for hiring 93 staff

Gulu City Council is at risk of returning shs1.3 billion meant for staff recruitment to the Consolidated Fund, after the City Service Commission ended its four-year term without completing the hiring process.

With only four months left to the close of the financial year, city leaders fear the unutilized funds will be swept back to the treasury leaving critical positions vacant and service delivery strained.

Ochora Michael, Chairperson of the Gulu City Service Commission, said the commission handed over office on January 18, 2026, marking the end of its term which began on January 18, 2022.

Although 93 positions were advertised last year and attracted 1,187 applicants, none have been filled due to the lapse in the commission’s mandate.

“I am not happy that funds meant to recruit about 93 different staff are likely to be returned to the Consolidated Fund unutilized; Gulu city needs staff yesterday, not today,” Ochora said.

He noted that during their tenure, the commission introduced a digital application system to eliminate delays and claims of missing documents, and handled 441 recruitment-related cases including appointments, resignations, probation confirmations, and transfers.

However, the recruitment process for the newly advertised positions could not be finalized before their term expired.

The unfilled positions cut across key service departments, including education, health, engineering, finance, procurement, and law enforcement.

Some of the critical roles advertised include; Principal Environment Officer, Senior Internal Auditor, Senior Communication Officer, Senior Civil Engineer, Inspector of Schools, Senior Legal Officer, City Planner, Chief Finance Officer, Clinical Officer and Nursing Officers, Principal Agricultural Officer and Law Enforcement Officer

While most positions attracted overwhelming numbers of applicants, two posts-City Physical Planner and Pool Stenography Secretary received no applications.

The failure to recruit means hospitals, schools, and administrative offices will continue operating below capacity.

Staffing crisis deepens

According to Regina Akello, Deputy Town Clerk, Gulu City is currently operating at below 35 percent staffing levels.

“If the recruitment succeeds, staffing would rise to about 55 percent,” she said.

She warned that returning the shs1.3 billion to the treasury would severely affect service delivery in the city.

“The city needs staffing yesterday, not today. The delays are already affecting the quality of services to the people of Gulu,” Akello added.

She further urged the Public Service Commission to fast-track the renewal of the commission’s term.

Gulu City Mayor, Alfred Okwonga, praised the outgoing commission for strengthening transparency and merit-based recruitment.

“Your hard work has been felt in hospitals, schools, and other institutions,” Okwonga said during the handover ceremony.

He emphasised that the city is working to ensure the allocated recruitment funds are utilized before the financial year ends, and called on the Public Service Commission to urgently approve the renewal of the commission’s term.

“We do not want money meant for recruitment returned to the treasury when our people need services,” he said.

The Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Onoria Ambrose, also commended the commission’s transparency and urged the Town Clerk’s office to ensure logistical readiness ahead of any new appointments.

“People should be employed on merit. That is what guarantees better service delivery,” he noted.

Despite their efforts, the outgoing commission cited financial constraints, including unpaid arrears totaling shs41.5 million owed to members and technical staff who supported recruitment exercises.

They also reported detecting multiple cases of applicants submitting forged academic documents during shortlisting and interviews, raising concerns about integrity within parts of the public service.

What happens next?

If the Public Service Commission does not renew the commission’s term in time, the shs1.3 billion allocated for recruitment could automatically revert to the Consolidated Fund at the end of the financial year.

For a city operating at barely a third of its staffing needs, the financial reversal would mean prolonged staff shortages, delayed public services, and mounting pressure on existing workers.

As the clock ticks toward the end of the financial year, the future of both the funds and Gulu City’s recruitment drive remains uncertain along with the city’s ability to meet the service demands of its growing population.